Tonight, four of UNC’s most talented musicians will take the stage along with the UNC Symphony Orchestra to prove that they are among the most skilled young artists on campus.
Four applied music majors were awarded the chance to perform along side the UNC symphony orchestra after competing in the annual Concerto Competition that was held last December. This years winners were soprano Joanna Burke, pianist Crystal Wu, floutist Philip Snyder and violinist Sophia Han.
Three out of four of the students began playing music when they were little, except for Burke, who came upon singing almost by accident. When her friend asked her to audition for a musical with her in high school she agreed and has been singing ever since.
Snyder and Han both started playing in middle school and have followed their passions all the way here.
Unlike the rest, Wu began playing piano as a very young child, went to a fine arts high school, and was awarded the Kenan Scholarship for music, allowing her to come to UNC on a full scholarship.
Tomorrow, the four will be performing their solo of their choice, backed by the UNC Symphony Orchestra — an opportunity that Burke said is very rare.
“To perform with an established ensemble is an honor. It’s something you don’t usually get until you’ve establish a career,” she said.
However, Han said that with this rare opportunity comes a lot of pressure.
“The UNC orchestra is so good and that’s really nerve-wracking,” she said.
All four of them are on their way to graduating with a degree in applied music, all hoping to eventually go to graduate school.
Burke, however, is planning on take a few years off first to jump-start her performance career.
“I might not do anything big but I’m definitely going to get involved in the community,” said Burke.
Snyder and Han both plan on pursuing doctorate degrees while Snyder wants to eventually teach at a college level and play at the orchestra level.
Wu, who also would like to go on to teach, has similar plans.
“A big possibility is going to graduate school. I would like to teach and play chamber music,” Wu said.
Tomorrow night’s concert is a great opportunity, both for four musicians and for the music department.
Student general manager for the orchestra Vann Mitchell said that the concert is a scholarship benefit concert.
“The tickets are 15 dollars and all of the money goes to the music department for scholarships,” she said.
The four are all excited, not only to be performing their solos backed by the UNC symphony orchestra, but to prove that they are among the best musicians that UNC has.
“There’s a lot of buildup and a lot of pressure to prove that you belong up there with such a talented orchestra,” Burke said.
See the concert tonight in Hill Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for UNC faculty and staff.
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