The Young Artist Concert

The Young Artist Competition happens every December when students in AU’s Department of Music perform a concerto in front of a panel of the music faculty. The winners of that competition then perform their concerti with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra. This year, the winners’ concert was held on February 3 and featured soloists Raleigh Pettey (senior, vocal performance), Nathaniel Miller (freshman, English, French, and music), Eleanor Joyce (junior, music education), and Addison Randall (freshman, Spanish and music). (Nikolaz Feliciano and Aiko Ayala, also winners of the competition, will perform in Fall 2024.) Pettey sang Mozart’s “Der vogelfänger bin ich ja” and “Hai gia vinta la causa” and Korngold’s “Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen”; Miller played the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto; Joyce played the fourth movement of Brahms’ second piano concerto; and Randall played the first movement of Dvorak’s cello concerto. I had the opportunity to chat with each of the performers about their relationships with their pieces and their concert experiences.

What made you choose your concerto/pieces, and how long have you been learning it?

Pettey: 

I found the longer Mozart, the one from Figaro, two years ago, and I fell in love with it. It really provided the opportunity to push me to grow as a performer onstage, not just as a singer but as an actor. The first Mozart I chose was mainly because it was fun. It got the audience engaged and provided an opportunity to have fun with a piece. The Korngold is just so lyrical, it’s so beautiful, and it’s one of those pieces that the audience can just sit back and enjoy. These pieces presented a challenge and created an opportunity for a better connection with the audience. The first Mozart I’ve been working on for about four to five months. The Figaro I’ve been working on for probably two years now. I did that one at my junior recital, and it’s evolved and grown from there. Korngold, I didn’t really work on until this past semester, but it’s been in my brain for a very long time, probably two-three years at this point. 

Miller:

I’ve been obsessed with Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto since I started listening to it. Sections of it are so brilliant and showy and grandiose, but it balances those parts out with calm, lyrical sections. I’ve been working on it for around nine months. 

Joyce: 

I chose it because it was something I could memorize in time for an audition. I was decently attracted to it, and it felt doable. And I really like Brahms as a person. I’ve been learning it since the second week of September. 

Randall: 

I’ve been working on it since July. It’s kind of been a life-long dream to play the Dvorak, and the cello—I think every instrument—has a set of concertos that you build up to. My teacher helped me decide that Dvorak would be a good piece to come into college with. 

What is it like to play with a full orchestral accompaniment?

Pettey: 

It’s a lot of fun. You get to hear parts of the music that you wouldn’t get to hear with just a piano, and it pushes you to be better, to work with a community, not just as a solo artist. One thing solo artists often forget is that we wouldn’t be who we are without the people around us. The orchestra adds a whole new mix of sounds and opportunities to explore the piece’s meaning.

Miller: 

You hear recordings of your piece, and you play with piano reductions, but nothing can equal the volume and the variation in the sound of the orchestra. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to play with a full orchestra, and this proved me wrong in the best way. 

Joyce:

It was jarring at first. I realized that I needed to take initiative in rehearsals. You need to think as an ensemble director in rehearsals. Also, it’s really fun, and I like it. You finally get to hear what you’ve been working towards for so long.

Randall:

It’s really a thrill. A little scary, though, because a lot of things are out of your control. It was kind of a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play with an orchestra since I was little. 

What was your favorite part of the performance?

Pettey: 

The part I enjoyed most about it was that the audience didn’t expect some of the things that happened. My not being on stage before the piece happened was definitely a bit of a surprise. Having Elsie Mokaya come in offstage in the Korngold was surprising even though her name was on the program. The most fun part for me, though, was seeing people actually enjoy it. 

Miller:

I think my favorite part might have been the cadenzas. There’s a lot of rubato in there that you can do, a lot of room for expression. And the ending of the first movement is so nice. 

Joyce: 

My favorite part of it was nailing a certain section where I had parallel thirds in both hands that I don’t think I ever nailed until like the week of the concert. Parts came together that hadn’t before. 

Randall:

My favorite part was the ending of my piece because I nailed the last part. It was exciting to hear the audience’s applause. 

Nikolaz Feliciano and Aiko Ayala, will perform in concerts in Fall 2024. A full recording of the February 3 Young Artist Concert can be found here.