Ouachita Stories

Jillian Turner, a senior vocal performance and piano double major from Forth Worth, Texas, was selected as the winner of Ouachita Baptist University’s 17th annual Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers held on March 3 in McBeth Recital Hall.

Turner won her title and cash prize of $500 for her performance of “La Danza” by Gioachino Rossini from the collection Les soirées musicales. She was accompanied by OBU staff accompanist Phyllis Walker.

“I was surprised, thrilled and honored,” Turner said. “I realized that my main goal for this performance was to engage the audience and hopefully put a smile on their faces. I wanted them to have fun with me. I learned that when I truly put my trust in God, He takes my performing to the next level. That, I could not do on my own.”

In addition to Turner, 20 other upperclassmen voice principals participated in this year’s competition.

“The Shambarger Competition always brings out the best in our student performers. They rise to the occasion to share something special with the audience,” said David Stanley, instructor of music and this year’s event coordinator. “Our judges had a difficult decision! While we could only select a few winners, the level of performance across the board was extremely high.”

Second place and a prize of $300 went to Joshua Wayne, a senior music education major from Nixa, Mo. He performed “Erlkonig” by Franz Schubert and was accompanied by Phyllis Walker.

Third place and a prize of $200 went to Molly Salmon, a senior vocal performance major from Henderson, Texas. Salmon performed “You Need Song” by Kevin Puts and was accompanied by Susan Monroe. “I enjoyed singing such a meaningful song and letting the audience share in the art of the piece,” she noted.

Alexis Morgan, a sophomore music education major from Frisco, Texas, was awarded fourth place and $100 for her performance of “Winter” by Dominick Argento. “I benefited from the competition by having a better appreciation for my peers and the hard work they put into their pieces,” she said. Phyllis Walker accompanied her.

Honorable Mention and a prize of $50 were awarded to Seth Russell, a junior vocal performance major from Crossett, Ark. He performed “Wither Must I Wander” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and was accompanied by Phyllis Walker. “It was nice to receive positive feedback from music faculty and my music peers in the OBU community on the success of my artistic approach to the piece,” Russell said.

The Shambarger Competition was established in 1999 to honor Mary Shambarger, professor emerita of music and Ouachita music faculty member of 32 years. This year, judges included Jenna Williams Tucker, a 2002 Ouachita graduate and voice professional; Mary Worthen, assistant professor emerita of music; and Dr. Charles Wright, former dean of the OBU School of Fine Arts and current development officer.

Other collaborative pianists who accompanied the students included instructor of music and staff accompanist John Alec Briggs and staff accompanist Kristen LaMadrid. Turner also accompanied a fellow competitor.

For more information, contact David Stanley at [email protected] or (870) 245-4160.

 

By Anna Hurst

 

Photo by Tyler Rosenthal: Jillian Turner (left) earned first place in Ouachita's 17th annual Shambarger Competition for Singers. Other finalists includes (left to right): Joshua Wayne, second place; Molly Salmon, third place; Alexis Morgan, fourth place; and Seth Russell, honorable mention.