Congratulations to Walla Walla University students Matthew Moran and Siena Mirasol who competed and placed with high honors in the 2018 Grand Ronde Symphony Concerto/Aria Competition.
Moran received first place in the regional category, earning a position to perform with the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra on May 30 and a $300 cash prize. Siena Marisoll received second place in the regional category, earning a written and verbal review with critical commentary and general counsel about her recorded performance from experts with the Grande Ronde Symphony Association. Both students played the piano.
Moran will graduate in June with a bachelor of arts degree in music and a bachelor of science degree in bioengineering. His plan is to attend Loma Linda University for medical school. “I hope to utilize the compassion, hard-working ethic, and dedication that I learned in music to my profession as a doctor,” said Moran. Mirasol is a sophomore working on a double major in music and premed.
Participants in the competition submitted a single application composed of a video entry showcasing their performance piece, a resume, a photo, and an artist concert biography. “We had a record number of applicants this season and the audition pool was full of tremendous talent,” wrote Patty Sandoz, president of the Grande Ronde Symphony Association, in a letter to award recipients. “The review committee evaluated applicants on many criteria—technique, expression, tone quality, and rhythmic integrity were primary among them.”
Moran will perform with the Grand Ronde Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, May 30, and will present a senior recital on Thursday, June 14, on the WWU campus.
“l feel honored and excited to perform with the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra in May,” said Moran. “I hope that, regardless of how the performance goes, people would see Christ instead of me shine through my music.”
Posted May 3, 2018
