By Sarah Daniels, Contributing Writer
On Friday, Sept. 22, the Sunderman Conservatory hosted the final round of the 15th annual Concerto Competition in Paul Recital Hall. The competition is for music majors or minors. Students audition with song cycles, arias, concertos and concert songs.
There is no set number of awards; rather, the decision for places and honorable mentions lies in the hands of the judges. The four judges are usually people with connections to Gettysburg and the surrounding areas. Students are allowed to perform together, but at this competition, all the students chose to perform solos, only having a piano accompanist. Each performance lasted around eight minutes.
The competition began with a skilled alto saxophone performance by Orazio Thomas ’25, who played “Ballade for Saxophone, Orchestra and Piano,” which earned a huge round of applause. The next act, “Concerto for Trumpet,” played by Jacob Hunkins ’24, involved the use of a trumpet mute which created a clear but quieter sound.
Jacob Hunkins ’24 performing “Concerto for Trumpet.” (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
The rest of the acts followed; Marissa Duggan ’25 sang “Exsultate, Jubilate.” Josianne Eteme ’26 performed “Concerto for Violin” and enraptured the audience. The final act, “Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Piano,” was performed by Justin Morgan ’27.
The judges retreated from the concert hall, returning with two awards: an honorable mention and a first place.
The honorable mention went to the violin concerto performed by Eteme, which was a gripping and enthralling roughly eight minute piece.
The first place prize was awarded to Hunkins for his trumpet performance.
“I’ve been working on this piece for like four months now, so just being able to play it live is just great,” said Hunkins. “It was a really wonderful moment.”
This competition provided a great experience for both the performers and the audience.
“I really enjoyed getting to hear a variety of different instruments,” said Ainsley Green ’27. “It was interesting to hear their different techniques. They are all really skilled and amazing.”
Judges watching the performances. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
