Crista Riggs, a senior chemistry and biology major with a music minor, won the seventh annual Wind and Piano Concerto Competition at Ouachita Baptist University on Dec. 7.
Riggs, a native of Edmond, Okla., won $500 and the honor of a solo performance in the Ouachita Wind Ensemble’s Spring Tour as part of her first place prize. A student of Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music, Riggs performed two movements of Frank Ticheli’s Clarinet Concert, “Rhapsody for George” and “Song for Aaron.” Riggs was accompanied by Dr. Adam Haas, lecturer in music, on piano.
Bradley Lindsey, a senior music major from Longview, Texas, was awarded second place and $300 in prize money. Also a student of Taylor, Lindsey performed Fantasia for Alto Saxophone by Claude T. Smith and was accompanied by Susan Monroe, staff accompanist.
Chris Hogan, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Bartlesville, Okla., placed third in the Concerto Competition, winning $200. A student of Dr. Ryan Lewis, assistant professor of music, Hogan performed Concerto No. 2 for Marimba by David R. Gillingham and was accompanied by Glenda Aldridge, adjunct professor of music and staff accompanist.
“Nine Ouachita students participated this year,” said Kristin Grant, assistant professor of music, “and the performances were all outstanding.”
Additional participants included: Allan Bateman, a senior music theory/composition major from Perryville, Ark., on the saxophone; Kathryn Lee, a senior instrumental music education major from Azle, Texas, on percussion; Megan Massey, a junior instrumental music education major from Weatherford, Texas, on the bass clarinet; Evan Rogers, a junior church music major from Jacksonville, Ark., on the euphonium; Bret Steed, a junior music performance major from Idabel, Okla., on the trombone; and Sara Walker, a sophomore Christian studies/Christian missions and ministry major with a music minor from Sulphur Springs, Texas, on the clarinet.
Students who chose to participate were required to have at least one year of undergraduate study and the permission of their private lessons instructor.
Louis Menendez, principal coach accompanist and artist-in-residence, also served as an accompanist for the competition.
By Rachel Gregory
