Kent, Ohio — Three soloists, students of the Glauser School of Music, will be featured in performance with the Kent State University Orchestra on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. David Mendieta, Audrey Nolte and William Baughman are all winners of the 2021-2022 Concerto Competition, an event held every December in the Glauser School. Tickets for the upcoming concert are $10 for adults and free for those 18 and under. Full-time Kent Campus undergraduates can also get in free with a ticket.
“Every year it's a treat to work with our outstanding student soloists, “says Jungho Kim, D.M.A., director of orchestra. “This year is no different. Each soloist brings something unique to the orchestra and to the rehearsal process. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the artistry and talent we have right here at Kent State.”
Audrey Nolte, a voice performance master’s student studying with Lara Troyer, will perform “Hear, ye, Israel” from Mendelssohn's English-language oratorio “Elijah.” Nolte has enjoyed the rehearsal experience so far, saying, “Not only am I getting to perform such a beautiful work that I have a personal connection to, I get to sing with many of my friends in the orchestra.” It’s also been a unique and instructive learning experience for the rising singer who also appeared in the Kent State Opera Theatre’s recent production. “This will be my first time performing with a full orchestra as a soloist,” she says, “but this orchestra has truly taught me how to adjust to an environment where you may be nervous or uncomfortable at first.”
“I feel so grateful and happy to have this opportunity,” says graduate student and violinist David Mendieta. “I also feel proud of the orchestra because we have been doing a tremendous job with this repertoire. Having Dr. Kim conducting makes me feel so confident and positive.” Mendieta will perform Pablo de Sarasate’s virtuosic showpiece ”Zigeunerweisen.” Reflecting on the rehearsal and learning process for this difficult piece, Mendieta says, “This opportunity brings many challenges to me—control the nerves, feel calm, and find my own version and voice in this piece. However, Amy Lee makes me feel so lucky because she has been helping and teaching me with the best that she has as a professor.”
For undergraduate pianist William Baughman, a student of Andrew Le, D.M.A., performing and rehearsing with an orchestra is all very new. “It is such an amazing feeling to be working with the orchestra,” he says. “It is crazy to hear from the conductor's perspective and like nothing I've ever experienced before.” The process has helped lead him to new strategies when approaching practice and rehearsal preparation for the work he’s set to perform, Rachmaninoff’s first piano concerto. Of the experience, he says, “I have made it a point to listen to many different recordings of this piece and make deliberate choices regarding interpretation. I have learned to be much more patient and careful when it comes to rehearsing and planning out pieces.”
In addition to the works performed by the soloists, the program includes Mozart’s jovial and frivolous overture to his opera “Cosi fan Tutte” and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a musical depiction of triumph over fate. The performance is in Kent State University’s Cartwright Hall. Parking is free.
Advance single-ticket and subscription orders can be done online, by phone or in person through the Performing Arts Box Office. It’s open Monday through Friday from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Kent State University Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets will also be available one hour before the performance begins. To learn more about purchasing tickets, visit www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets.
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Contact for Media:
Andrew Paa - apaa@kent.edu