In a school as big as MU, it’s easy for talent to go overlooked or unnoticed. In the coming days, however, some of the School of Music’s best and brightest musicians will perform at the Missouri Theatre.
The School of Music will host its annual Emerging Artists Showcase on Monday. The concert features some of the school’s best musicians playing a variety of classical music. In anticipation for this event, MOVE sat down with Eva Szekely, professor of music and chairwoman of the showcase to get the details on the event.
“I think from the School of Music’s standpoint, it is a chance for us to showcase our best, brightest and most accomplished students,” Szekely says. “The showcase is the result of a school-wide competition. Those who will be playing in the showcase were the ones named winners of a competition between upper-class students, both graduate and undergraduate.”
This year’s winners are mezzo-soprano singer Christina Adams, flutist Kristine Poulsen, violist Grant Bradshaw, pianist Xiaoying Wen, and the percussion ensemble of Kyle Bauche, Matt Stiens, Dan Edwards and Ian McClaflin.
“These students perform a lot as part of their degree programs,” Szekely says. “Most of the performances of our students take place in Whitmore Recital Hall, both in small groups and as soloists. Being by yourself on a stage the size of the Missouri Theatre is a different experience, and it’s part of building their experience toward their professional career.”
The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Missouri Theatre. Admission is free for students with ID; there is a $5 suggested donation for all others.