Brass students excel in state, national events

Nick Adragna (Senior, Tuba Performance Major) took Second Place in the National Young Artist Brass Solo Competition sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association held in Denver, Colorado this past March. Adragna won the state competition last November; Andrew Eden (Senior, Trombone Performance Major) was named runner-up and alternate at the state event, held in Lansing.

The MTNA Performance competitions provide educational experiences and recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. The state competitions are considered the primary educational level with the division and national levels showcasing outstanding performance and honoring significant pedagogical achievement. Adragna and Eden are students of Kenneth Kroesche.

Other brass student accomplishments include:

Christopher Napier (Senior, Trumpet Performance & Music Education Major) received a Graduate Assistantship to pursue a Master of Music degree at Western Michigan University next year.  For the past three years, Chris served as co-principal trumpet of the Detroit Civic Orchestra.

Jennifer Shinska (Senior, Trombone Performance & Music Education Major), winner of the 2008 David Daniels Concerto Competition, performed with the Pontiac Oakland Symphony this past February.

Niki Barnes (Sophomore, Music Education Major) was elected as one of two state representatives to the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference.

Alex Carter (Sophomore, Trumpet Performance & Music Education Major) will perform this summer as the principal trumpet of the International Youth Symphony Orchestra sponsored by Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp on their tour to France, Germany and Austria.  This is Alex’s second summer to tour Europe with this orchestra.

For more information about OU's Music program, click here.