It is the sixth year of the annual Wind and Percussion Concerto Competition, an event that showcases outstanding musical performers from Ouachita.
“This competition is a great way to showcase some awesome musicians in the instrumental department,” said Elyse Senteney, a junior music education major. “The winner usually gets to perform his or her piece with the OBU Wind Ensemble, which is a huge honor.”
The first place winner will receive $500 and may have the honor of performing with the Ouachita Wind Ensemble on their spring tour. Second place will receive $300, and third place will receive $200.
“My piece is full of a lot of notes crammed into not very much time,” Senteney said. “It really has been a test of patience working out some of the most awkward fingerings on the flute. Going back and forth between our highest A and F# sometimes makes me want to pull my hair out, but I think it’s worth it. The challenge makes it more fun and rewarding.”
Students eligible for the competition are music majors or music minors who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study and have received permission from their private lesson teacher to participate in this selective competition.
“I really love my piece because it is from the romantic period and is meant to be played with a lot of emotion and expression, said Crista Riggs, a sophomore chemistry and biology major. “It has many fast moving lines and cadenzas that are hard to get under my fingers, but it has some slow, pretty sections mixed with the fast and intense sections, which I love about it.”
These students compete with each other not just to win, but also to gain feedback and performing experience.
“This competition allows students to showcase their talents and passion for music,” said Aubrey Elliott, a senior music education major. “For me it’s not so much about winning, but the fact that I have grown as a musician by learning my piece and performing what I love.”
The competition will be held Dec. 9 from 3-5 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall.
