By Justin Fox, Contributing Writer
On Friday night at 7 p.m., the Sunderman Conservatory hosted the final round of the 18th Annual Concerto Competition. The concert featured the competition’s four finalists performing concerti they have spent much time preparing and studying, with the goal of earning the opportunity to perform with the Sunderman Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. Each soloist performed their selected work in the Paul Recital Hall in front of an audience and three adjudicators from outside music institutions, with piano accompaniment played by Dr. Scott Crowne.
First on the stage was Evan Scott ’29, performing “Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat” by Baroque Czech composer Jean Baptist Neruda. The piece consisted of three movements for classical trumpet, including cadenzas in the first and third movements in which Scott showcased technical skill and emotional nuance on his instrument.
Next was Tam Rezaei ’28, performing Serge Koussevitzky’s “Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra.” The piece’s style is indicative of that of several composers of its era, mirroring the sound of late classical and early modern music. “I’ve been studying this concerto since my freshman year,” said Rezaei after the concert. On preparing for his performance of it this year, he commented, “I think the one thing that most helped me, other than working on technique, was also working on my own confidence on the stage.”
Following this was soprano Lindy Harris ’29 who performed two operatic arias. The first was “Mein Herr Marquis” (“My Lord Marquis”) from Johann Strauss II’s “Die Fledermaus” (“The Bat”) opera, a quick, energetic excerpt. Second was the somber “Willow Song” from Douglas Moore’s “The Ballad of Baby Doe.” Harris brought energy and emotion to the stage in two separate modes, showing great talent and versatility.
To close the concert was Justin Morgan ’27, performing Henri Tomasi’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra.” The two movements of this piece contained a wide range of technical demand on the saxophone, and Morgan showed the audience his own versatile performance, revealing the full capabilities of the instrument.
In the end, Morgan, Rezaei, and Harris were selected by the adjudicators to perform their concerti with a full orchestra in the spring. Scott, the honorable mention, will play with the orchestra in rehearsal, as well as serve as assistant conduct on that night. This concert was an excellent display of students’ instrumental talent and musical dedication, an inspiring experience for the audience and a gateway to significant opportunities for the performers.
