The sixth season of Classical MPR's Minnesota Varsity closed on May 1st with a vibrant Showcase Concert at the Fitzgerald Theater! Five Showcase Round artists performed, and the two Showcase Round composers had pieces premiered.
Hosted by John Birge, the afternoon was broken into two parts: performance artists and composition artists. The first part of the performance featured clarinetist Anders Peterson, harpist Abigail Hansen, pianist Kimberly Shen, flutist Claire Gunsbury, and cellist Mark Prihodko.
The second part of the event, featuring the composition artists, premiered the works of Austin Kraft and Seamus Hubbard Flynn. Kraft composed Proximity (with a text by Carl Sandburg) for tenor (Samuel Baker) and cello (Ben Osterhouse). Flynn composed If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking? (text by Emily Dickinson) for tenor (Samuel Baker), violin (Philip Ledgerwood), viola (Ernesto Estigarribia), and cello (Ben Osterhouse).
Showcase Round Artists
• Anders Peterson, 16, Clarinet (Northfield)
• Abigail Hansen, 17, Harp (Owatonna)
• Kimberly Shen, 14, Piano (Arden Hills)
• Claire Gunsbury, 16, Flute (Nisswa) – Audience Vote Winner
• Mark Prihodko, 18, Cello (Faribault)
Showcase Round Composers
• Austin Kraft, 18, (Savage): Proximity for cello and tenor voice
• Seamus Hubbard Flynn, 17, (St. Paul): If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking? for violin, viola, cello, and tenor voice.
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