Congratulations to winners of the annual Ohio State undergraduate and master's student Concerto Competition held on Nov. 20, 2023 in the Timashev Family Music Building. The students will perform with the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Weigel Auditorium. 

Additionally, the concert features the world premiere performance of In plain sight by student composer-in-residence Ila V. Sharma, graduate associate in theory and composition.

Marcello: Oboe Concerto in C minor for Soprano Sax, movements 2 and 3

LUCINDA DUNNE is a saxophonist, woodwind doubler and educator from Staffordshire in the United Kingdom. She is a graduate of the Royal College of Music (London), where she studied both saxophone and clarinet under professors Kyle Horch and Janet Hilton. She previously studied at Chetham's School of Music with Andrew Wilson. She has gained orchestral experience playing with ensembles such as the National Youth Orchestra, Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Vitae; performing at notable UK venues including The Sage Gateshead, St John's Smith Square and the Royal Festival Hall. Lucinda debuted as a soloist with the RCM Film Orchestra and later performed Benson's '"Aeolian Song" with the RCM Wind Ensemble. She has previously performed both of Weber's clarinet concertos as a soloist with the Portobello Orchestra. Lucinda also enjoys instrumental doubling (playing saxophones, clarinets and flutes) and playing in musical theatre pit orchestras. Shows she has recently performed include The Addams Family, Singin' In The Rain, Sweet Charity, Anyone Can Whistle and Guys and Dolls. Lucinda is pursuing a master's degree in saxophone performance at Ohio State where she studies with Michael Rene Torres. Lucinda is delighted to assist the School of Music as a graduate associate along with continuing her music education.

Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat

ANNIE MOON is currently a first year master's student serving as the graduate teaching associate of horn at the The Ohio State University. She studies with Professor Bruce Henniss, former 4th horn of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Moon earned her bachelor's degree in music performance at West Virginia University under the diligent mentorship of Professor Jonas Thoms. Having picked up the horn less than one year before college auditions, she has been acknowledged for her “fire in the belly approach” as well as her “fabulously romantic and big-hearted playing.” She has fulfilled invitations to perform with summer institutions such as the Monteux Music Festival Orchestra and Festival Napa Valley’s Blackburn Music Academy. Moon has balanced performing in several various University ensembles, even including a jazz combo at one time, while subbing with regional orchestras such as the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. Moon has previously been the recipient of both the International Horn Society’s Barry Tuckwell Award and Paul Mansur Award. 

Thankful for an incredible audience and the ongoing enthusiasm for classical music, she looks forward to performing selections from Richard Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 as an Ohio State Young Artist Competition Winner this year. 

Pichl: Bass Concerto, movement 1

SAOIRSE HURLEY is a freshman and performance major currently serving as principal bass in the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra. From the Dublin area, she began playing the double bass in her middle school orchestra, and played with multiple Celtic ensemble groups in middle and high school. She has been playing for 8 years, and has studied with Mike Brosius and John Pellegrino in her high school and college years. In the past, she participated in the Chamber Music Connections program, the Ohio State Campus Orchestra, and has given multiple solo recitals. Outside of school, Saoirse spends time coaching middle school bass players, teaching private lessons, and reading.

Elgar: Cello Concerto, movements 1 and 2

LUCY REED is a third-year undergraduate cello performance major. She grew up in Troy, Ohio, and is now a Columbus resident. She began playing cello at age 10, and has studied with Professor Mark Rudoff for nearly six years. Lucy is passionate about chamber music and has attended multiple renowned summer chamber music festivals, including Encore Chamber Music Festival, Credo Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. She is also the artistic director of CellOhio, Ohio State's student organization cello ensemble.

Weber: "Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen" from Der Freischütz

SAMANTHA SAYAR, soprano, is a third-year music education major from Atlanta, Georgia. She currently studies with Dr. Laura Portune. area head of voice. Samantha is active with the Ohio State Opera Theatre program where she has performed as the Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Lola in Douglas Moore’s Gallantry, and most recently, Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. She also serves as the social outreach coordinator for the student division of Ohio State’s American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). She is ecstatic to be performing with the symphony and she hopes you enjoy the performance.