On the evening of Mar. 3, the University of North Dakota’s Music Department held their “UND Music Student Showcase Concert.” These concerts occur a few times throughout the semester and serve as an opportunity for students to showcase the music they have been studying as soloists as well as in chamber groups. The performance ranges from vocal to instrumental and showcases unique examples of the music students’ hard work and dedication. 

Each showcase is different depending on which students sign up to perform, which makes it that much more exciting. By attending one of these events, you can expect to hear sounds you may have never heard before. One of the most intriguing parts of the program for this particular showcase was the listing of a bass flute performance. This was done by music student, Mitchell Berger, who performed a piece titled “Little Andre” by Dave Soldier.  

Along with this, there were several other performances by brass instrumentalists. These ranged from trombone to flugelhorn to tuba. One standout performance was made by the Prairie Rose Brass ensemble who performed “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar and arranged by Lew Buckley. This group is an all-female brass chamber ensemble that was formed in 2024. 

There were also a few string instrument performances. These included a cello soloist and a duet, both of which were truly captivating. Voice students will also use this opportunity to showcase their talents, but there was only one vocalist this time around. Lucy Welsh sang a beautiful rendition of “Joy” from Genius Child and just so happened to fill the Josephine Campell Recital Hall with even more joy. 

Continuing with a theme of showcasing all kinds of musicians, percussionist Jackson Lee performed a piece on the marimba. This piece was titled “Viscosity” by Casey Cangelosi. Along with this, there were quite a few piano performances. These included student soloists along with student and faculty accompanists for other ensembles and performers. 

The showcase concluded with a final performance made by the students of Dr. Christopher Gable’s Britten Seminar. They performed a piece called “Final Chorus” from “Noye’s Fludde, op. 59,” which was written by Benjamin Britten. This class of students have spent the past few weeks of the semester studying this individual, so it was a truly unique feeling to see them showcase their learning in this unique way. 

These are just a few of the most notable themes of the performance, but there is truly nothing like experiencing it in person. It gives you a new level of respect for these students who take so much time perfecting their craft to perform in front of a large audience. The next showcase will take place on Apr. 7 in the Josephine Campbell Recital Hall. This would be a great, no cost, opportunity to witness a unique and one-of-a-kind program of music. 

Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].