NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

2/24/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES ­ Winners of Northwestern State University's annual concerto competition will be featured during a concert of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Thursday, March 3. The concert will showcase a sampling of talent from several musical disciplines and will conclude with a full symphony performance of Dvorak's "Symphony no. 8 in G major."

The concerto winners and their selections are trumpets Joel Adair of Palestine, Texas, and Steven Anderson of Sulpher performing "Concerto in C Major for 2 Trumpets, Strings and Continuo" by Vivaldi; flute Clara Loy of Louisville, Ill., performing "Serenade for Solo Flute, Harp and String Orchestra" by Hanson and marimba Derek Phillips of Plano, Texas, performing "Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra" by Rosauro.

Also featured will be pianist Arsenti Kharitonov of St. Petersburg, Russia, performing "Piano Concerto no. 5, op. 73 in E flat major" by Beethoven; soprano Melanie Watson of Pineville performing "Jewel Song" from "Faust" by Gounod and tenor Bradeley Kerley of Shreveport performing "Lamento di Federico" from "L'arlesiana."

"In the past, they usually pick one or two winners, but I was so impressed I decided to pick more," said Dr. Douglas Bakenhus, conductor. "There is a lot of variety in the music and there is a representation from nearly every department."

Winners were selected based on musicianship, overall effect, technique and stage presence.

"To be able to perform a solo with an orchestra is very prestigious for these students," Bakenhus said. "It shows that we have some really talented students here.

The symphony by Dvorak is a piece the students enjoy playing, according to Bakenhus.

"It's a unique piece for Dvorjak, It is a piece that represents the Bohemian countryside You hear some Czech folk sounds that convey the landscape and beauty of the country," he said.

"It's going to be an evening of variety, of very impressive student performances and a performance of one of the greatest compositions of the late 19th century," Bakenhus said.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is $10 for the public and free to NSU and Louisiana School students.

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