Premiere student musicians from the National Capital Region area blended with the Army's premiere music makers May 15 to convert symphonic classics to poetry on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
Cellist Allison Park, the winner of The U.S. Army Band's 2015 Young Artist Competition, and The U.S. Army Orchestra brought Camille Saint-Saens' 143-year-old concerto to the Brucker Hall stage during "Pershing's Own's" Symphonic Poetry concert. Following her featured performance, Park was joined on stage by the competition's finalists and honorable mention students for the evening's final two musical selections.
"They do make a difference, don't they?" said The U.S. Army Band Commander Col. Timothy J. Holtan after the students and Army orchestra combined to perform Liszt's "Les Preludes," Symphonic Poem No. 3.
Following a pair of rehearsals, Park teamed with the Army orchestra to offer Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33. The concert gave the cellist the opportunity to musically express herself in front of family and friends.
"This is really fun but stressful performing in front of your peers and friends while they watch you perform," Park said following the concert. "It was a really great experience, but I love working with friends."
In March, Park competed and won the 10th Annual U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition, which was open to District of Columbia area high school musicians who excelled in string, woodwind, brass, guitar and percussion instruments. Holtan was impressed with Park's musical pedigree.
"Her musicality is mature well beyond her 16 years, and I believe that our audience was tickled to hear her performance of the Saint-Saëns 1st Concerto," the TUSAB commander said.
Other students recognized at the concert included runner-up Alyssa Katahara; third-place finisher Mairead Flory; finalists Yeama Ho, Joshua Choi, Hunter Lorelli, Kenneth Naito and Lisa Choi, plus honorable mention selections Angela Xu, Manya Aronin, Michelle Wong, Claire Hebeisen, Abigail Tucker, Shankar Balasubramanian, Tabitha Cojocari, Seo Yeon Yoon, Roy Auh, Daniel S. Chen, Xander Day, Daniel Cox, Alexander Chang, Heeyun Jeon, Molly Wise, Erick Costantino, Colin Crake, Chanhyun (Eric) Jo, Aaron Geldert and Abigail Brower.
When asked if she would explore the opportunity to join "Pershing's Own," as a career, viola performer Molly Wise mentioned she is musically game after more formal training. Wise, a high school senior, is headed to the Cleveland Institute of Music this fall.
"Sure [I'd love to play here]," Wise answered. "This is a really great group. If there was an opening, and I had gone through school and was in a position to be here, I'd be very honored to take a job here."
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