By Gary Lindsey
College of Liberal Arts
A talented group of student musicians who are studying such nonmusic fields as bioengineering, genetics, cellular biology and veterinary medicine, recently surprised themselves and their coaches when they walked off with the top prize in the Collegiate Chamber Group section of a regional competition. The contest in Boise, Idaho, sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association, drew performers from Alaska, Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Idaho.
Now the sextet is preparing for the national MTNA competition in Salt Lake City, March 15 – 16.
Sarah Wilson, a clarinet performance major, credits teamwork and the coaching of associate professor Gerald Berthiaume, a coordinator in the School of Music. Berthiaume pulled the group together last year and worked with them during the summer. Two other music faculty members, assistant professor Amari Barash and instructor Ann Marie Yasinitsky, assisted with coaching.
Despite all their practicing, though, members say that nothing really prepared them for their success.
“To be honest, I didn’t think we were going to win,” said Sofia Tegart, flutist and a senior music performance major.
Adam Zahand, a senior bassoonist, agreed. “I think it took a long time before the fact that we had indeed won settled in.”
“It’s a wonderful chance for us to get the WSU School of Music’s name out there,” said Sara Blake, who plays the oboe. “We have such a great music program and everyone should know that!”
As expected, Berthiaume is enjoying the moment as well. “I’m tremendously excited the group is participating in the national competition. I have never had a group go, and it will be heartwarming and an honor in itself just to be there.
“The most challenging part is to find rehearsal times due to everyone’s major and other obligations,” he said.
The sextet members include Tegart, Wilson, Zahand and Blake, as well as Mary Doornink, piano; and Jonathan Kirk, French horn. Tegart also entered and won the collegiate solo woodwind division, which means she will be competing in two categories at the national competition.
Both the School of Music and the College of Liberal Arts donated money for the group to travel to the regional competition. The sextet is hoping for donations to offset the expenses of their trip to the nationals.
