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Hall wins Ouachita’s 2021 Shambarger Competition for Singers

Shambarger Competition 2021 winner Danielle Hall

March 03, 2021 - Anna Weyenberg

Danielle Hall

Danielle Hall, a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark., won first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 23^rd annual Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers on Tuesday, Feb. 23. This year’s competition repertoire featured art songs.

“Everyone simply astounded me, which is why I was surprised to hear my own name called,” Hall said, reflecting on being selected as the competition winner. “I'm not sure I've ever been more impressed by the talent here at Ouachita.”

Hall will receive $500 for her winning performance of “Why do they shut me out of Heaven?” by Aaron Copland. Hall is a student of Dr. Maggie Garrett, associate professor of music, and Kristen La Madrid was her collaborative pianist.

Hannah Anderson, a senior musical theatre major from Austin, Texas, won second place and a prize of $300 for her performance of “Dreaming” by Lori Laitman. She is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music, and Susan Monroe was her collaborative pianist.

Briana Penn, a senior music major from Benton, Ark., won third place and a prize of $200 for her performance of “Psyche” by Émile Paladilhe. She is a student of Dr. Maggie Garrett, and Susan Monroe was her collaborative pianist.

Sammy Campione and Melodie DuBose tied for fourth place, with each receiving $100. Campione, a junior musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, sang “Of Bronze and Blaze” by J. Jay Berthume. He is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, and Susan Monroe was his collaborative pianist. DuBose, a senior musical theatre major from Laurel, Miss., sang “Fleur jetée” by Gabriel Fauré. She is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, and Phyllis Walker was her collaborative pianist.

Hannah Anderson (left) and Briana Penn (right)

Hannah Gothard, Isabella Owen and Paige Price each received honorable mention and a prize of $50. Gothard, a senior musical theatre major from Cleveland, Texas, sang “St. Ita's Vision” by Samuel Barber. She is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, and Susan Monroe was her collaborative pianist. Owen, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., sang “Come Ready and See Me” by Richard Hundley. She is a student of Dr. Natilan Crutcher, visiting assistant professor of music, and Susan Monroe was her collaborative pianist. Price, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, sang “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” by Steven Mark Kohn. She is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, and Kristen La Madrid was her collaborative pianist.

The judges for this year’s competition included Angela Collier, David A. Glaze and Dr. Susan E. Shirel. Collier, a Ouachita graduate, teaches voice and theatre lessons through AKCollier Studio LLC. Glaze, also a Ouachita graduate, is director of music ministries at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Ark. Shirel is assistant professor of music at Harding University.

The Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers is held annually to provide Ouachita students an opportunity to expand their musical repertoire while gaining experience performing and auditioning in a professional setting; the competition repertoire rotates each year among musical theatre, arias and art songs.

(From left) Angela Collier, David A. Glaze and Dr. Susan E. Shirel served as judges for Ouachita's 2021 Shambarger Competition for Singers. Photo by Jon Secrest.

The competition was created in honor of Mary Shambarger, professor emerita of music, who served as a voice instructor at Ouachita for 32 years and worked with the university’s choral groups, including what is now Ouachita Sounds.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music and coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program, at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

Lead photo: First place winner Danielle Hall performs during Ouachita's 23^rd Shambarger Competition for Singers, held on Feb. 23, 2021. Hall is a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark. Photo by Sarah Dean.