Student News - Summer 2015

The students of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music performed, competed and excelled across the globe this summer. Here are just a few of their highlights.

Matt Norman (MM Performance, Trombone) was named one of six international participants in the 2015 Alessi Seminar at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon (pictured at right). Norman was also the runner-up for the 2015 International Trombone Association’s Lewis van Haney Philharmonic Prize at the International Trombone Festival in Valencia, Spain.

Tyler Stampe’s (DMA Composition) “Asperges me, Domine” won first place in the Busan Composition Competition, part of the international Busan Choral Festival and Competition held annually in Busan, South Korea. Stampe has been invited to attend the festival in October.

Rachel Eve Holmes (DMA Performance, Voice) was named first prize winner in the Roschel Vocal Competition in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and first prize winner of The American Protege International Vocal Competition. She will perform in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City in December as a result of winning this prize.

The ARCO Chamber Orchestra played concerts in Santa Maria and Sao Leopoldo, Brazil. A translated review of one concert from Brazilian newspaper A Razão said “the orchestra was an example of concentration, discipline, [and] balance between the sections’ unique sonority and virtuosity.”

Victoria Bethel (BM Performance, Trumpet) was Principal Trumpet for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s European Tour.

Christopher Sapp (BM Performance, Voice) was in residence with College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, Massachusetts, performing in all six of the summer season's productions. A recent review of his performance as Robert in Sigmund Romberg's “The New Moon” can be found here.

Michael Meo (AB Music, Trumpet), Lillie Smith (BM Music Education, Trumpet) and Wesley Sumpter (BM Performance, Percussion) were chosen to represent UGA in the SEC All-Star Jazz Big Band at the SEC Symposium in Atlanta on Sept. 21.

Jared Jones (BM Performance, Voice) won first place in his division, Lower College Men, of the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s National Student Auditions held in Greensboro, North Carolina, on July 7.