Eight winners, ranging in age from 13-22, have been selected for the 2016-2017 Southern Adventist University Concerto Competition. They will perform with Southern’s Symphony Orchestra in concert on Sunday, January 29, 2017, at 4 p.m. in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Featured musicians include one cellist, two flutists, one organist, two pianists, and two violinists.

Established in 1990, the Concerto Competition features gifted young musicians in performance with a full orchestra. The competition is open to instrumental musicians from eighth grade through undergraduate studies. Participants initially send video recordings of their piece to Laurie Redmer Cadwallader, associate professor for the School of Music. Minner listens to each of the pieces and chooses approximately 15 finalists to perform live.

During the finals this year on November 27, 2016, the 15 musicians performed individually for six judges, as well as an audience of peers and community members. The participants had to choose between a movement from a concerto or a single movement piece from the standard concerto literature for his or her instrument. At the close of the competition, the judges chose eight winners who have the privilege to perform as soloists with accompaniment from Southern’s Symphony Orchestra.

Southern’s School of Music is proud to announce that two of the winners are current undergraduate students pursuing an education in fine art. Other participants will travel to Collegedale, Tennessee, from institutions such as Andrews University in Michigan and Southwestern Adventist University in Texas. Each student will be performing a famous classical piece.

Here is a full list of winners and the pieces they will be performing:

Dana Wilson, violin, 19, Andrews University, Lithonia, Georgia
Saint-Saens Concerto No. 3 in B minor, op. 61, Allegro non troppo

Emily Drexler, violin, 19, Chattanooga State, Ooltewah, Tennessee
Kabalevsky Concerto in C major, op. 48 Allegro molto e con brio

Nathan Francisco, cello, 14, Homeschool, Ooltewah, Tennessee
Faure Elegie

Katherine Pohle, organ, 22, Southern Adventist University, Ooltewah, Tennessee
Widor Symphony No. 6, op. 42, No. 2,Allegro

Charissa Goosey, flute, 21, Southern Adventist University, Plant City, Florida
Reinecke Concerto in D major, op. 283, Allegro molto moderato

Matthew Kimbley, piano, 13, Ooltewah Adventist School, Apison, Tennessee
Grieg Concerto No. 1 in A minor, op. 16, Allegro moderato

Erika Martinez, flute, 21, Southwestern Adventist University, Mission, Texas
Griffes Poem for Flute and Orchestra

Emma Motok, piano, 19, Lee University, Arrington, Tennessee
Shostakovich Concerto No. 2 in F major, op. 102, Allegro