LSO competition winners announced

Kat Deas

Last week marked the results of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Lawrentians Sara Kind and Jessica Wiersma earned this coveted moment in the spotlight after months of preparation and fine competition from many other talented conservatory students.This is not the first time that both Kind and Wiersma have appeared as concerto soloists. Last year, Kind, a senior performance major, earned another concerto appearance with Wind Ensemble after winning the 2003-2004 Wind Concerto Competition. This year she will perform Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Fantasia for soprano saxophone, three horns, and strings.”

About the upcoming LSO performance Kind says, “I am most looking forward to the performance because playing with the orchestra will be an entirely new experience for me. I am excited and very thankful.”

Similarly, two years ago Wiersma, the sophomore performance major, won a concerto competition in the orchestra of her hometown. This year’s achievement, however, is a much different.

“The most nerve-wracking thing was winning as a sophomore,” says Wiersma. “I was in shock for a while seeing my name up there on the list. It was very exciting, especially because everyone on the list was so good.”

When Wiersma’s April concert date approaches, she will be performing Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor.”

“It’s a really fun piece, especially the 3rd movement,” says Wiersma. “The 2nd movement is the substantial part, and to play that with the orchestra is going to be really amazing. There are many different emotions in it, and parts that I interpret as fiery. I originally didn’t want to play it because it’s such a standard piece for violin, but now I enjoy it a lot and I’m very glad I chose it.”

Receiving honorable mention for the competition was cellist Steve Girard. Saxophonist Sara Kind and violinist Jessica Wiersma will perform with the LSO on March 5 and April 7, respectively.