Fredonia Concerto Competition finals on April 28

Eight students who advanced beyond the preliminary rounds of the annual Concerto Competition will each perform on Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. in King Concert Hall. 

The competition’s concluding performance is free and open to the public.

Students are chosen by faculty in their respective area of music, such as woodwinds and strings, to represent their area of music in the preliminary round of the highly anticipated competition held every year. The eight students were selected from among 15 who played or sang in the preliminary round.

“In performing for their peers and teachers, each of the students earns the respect and admiration of their audience (colleagues, teachers, etc.),” said Associate Professor Andrew Seigel, who is chair of the competition.

Each student will perform with an accompanist in front of a panel of eight judges including ensemble conductors and instrumental and vocal faculty. 

Judges are Dr. Paula Holcomb (Wind Ensemble), Dr. Emily Schaad (Orchestra), Associate Professor Kieran Hanlon (Strings), Professor and Assistant Director Barry Kilpatrick (Brass), SUNY Distinguished Professor James Piorkowski (Guitar/Harp/Percussion), Associate Professor Eliran Avni (Piano), Dr. Wildy Zumwalt (Woodwinds) and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Julie Newell (Voice). Judges do not rate their own students.

The competition can be viewed via a livestream.

Concerto finalists, with their respective instrument, the selection, with composer, each will perform and accompanist, along with their year of study, major(s) and hometown and respective faculty studio, are:

• Jacob Dove, trombone, “Trombone Concerto,” by Launy Grøndahl, Associate Professor Nick Weiser (piano); senior, majors in Music Performance and Music Education; Owego, NY. He is from the studio of Lecturer Jonathan Lombardo;
• Mario Quing Fei Chai, “Totentanz,” by Franz Liszt, Professor Sean Duggan (piano); graduate student, Music Performance; Johor, Malaysia. He is from the Duggan studio;
• Eve Castonguay, oboe, “Concerto for Oboe,” by Bohuslav Martinů, I-Fei Chen (piano); senior, majors in Music Education and Music Performance; West Islip, NY. She is from the studio of Associate Professor and Associate Director Sarah Hamilton;
• Gavin Aquino, viola, “Der Schwanendreher,” by Paul Hindemith, Chen (piano); sophomore, major in Music Education; North Babylon, NY. He is from the studio of Associate Professor David Rose;
• Jack Oliver, piccolo, “Concerto for Piccolo, op. 50,” by Lowell Liebermann, Chen (piano); senior, majors in Music Education and Music Performance; Lake View, NY. He is from the studio of Assistant Professor Barry Crawford;
• Mia Mandineau, soprano, “Desdemona’s Scene from Otello, Act IV,” by Giuseppe Verdi, Chen (piano); graduate student, Music Performance; Montreuli, France. She is from the studio of Dr. Donald Marrazzo;
• Betty Stevens, bassoon, “Concerto for Bassoon,” by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Chen (piano); senior, Music Performance; West Salem, OH. She is from the studio of Professor Laura Koepke;
• Jordan Manocchi, violin, “Concerto No. 3 for Violin, K. 216,” by W.A. Mozart;  junior, major in Music Education;  Glenville, NY. He is from the studio of Assistant Professor Jessica Tong.

As many as two winners will be chosen to play with the College Symphony Orchestra, and as many as two winners to play with the Wind Ensemble in the 2024-2025 academic year. They will also be acknowledged at the upcoming School of Music Convocation.