By Linda Bailey, Student Reporter

Orchestra concert student soloists Adrienne Linge and Andrew Graham were chosen last semester to perform a concerto, a solo accompanied by an orchestra, Tuesday evening.

Dr. Steven Ward, director of bands and conductor of ACU Orchestra, said the concerto soloists were selected after they auditioned for the parts in November. The contest happens every other year, and it is open to all ACU students. This year, 16 students auditioned for vocal and instrumental solos.

“They perform a piece, memorized, and then the winners get to perform their piece with the orchestra,” Ward said.

Ward said the concerto provides valuable experience for students.

“It is a great opportunity for our music students to perform and prepare a piece of music at a very high level,” Ward said.

Linge, senior vocal music education major from San Antonio, was chosen to sing an opera-aria, a large solo from a opera.

She said it was not her first time to perform the piece, but this time was different.

“I’ve already sung this song for my senior recital but I’ve never performed it with a full orchestra,” Linge said.

She said the piece is a dramatic song from an opera about a young woman in love with a man who is going to die. In the song, the woman prays to God asking why he is punishing her.

Graham, senior music education major from San Angelo, performed The Arutunian Trumpet Concerto. He said he has played the trumpet for 12 years, and winning the contest was an honor.

“There is no scholarship or award to it; it’s just a big honor to play with the orchestra,” Graham said.

The concert was comprised of 40 students and some ACU faculty. This was their only concert of the semester, but Ward said the orchestra is a special group on campus.

“The ACU Orchestra is in its second year, and I’m very proud of the students and how hard they have worked,” Ward said. “I’m also very proud of the fact that we sit side-by-side, students and faculty.