Poster Minnesota Varsity showcase concert
Showcase Musicians and Composers join John Birge onstage at the Minnesota Varsity Showcase Concert at the Fitzgerald Theater.
Courtney Perry

Listen to the 2017 Minnesota Varsity Showcase Concert

2017 Minnesota Varsity Showcase Concert

A chilly spring rain couldn't dampen the excitement of the seventh annual Minnesota Varsity Showcase Concert at the Fitzgerald Theater, where top high school musicians from our region wowed a delighted audience with their performances and the premieres of two brand-new works. All seven had submitted applications last fall to Classical MPR's Minnesota Varsity competition, which is jointly administered by American Composers Forum. If they were surprised to find themselves appearing in a live MPR broadcast from the Fitzgerald stage that day, they needn't have been. Each of them displayed the kind of talent and dedication to music that Minnesota Varsity celebrates and spotlights.

We're pleased to bring you the complete recording of this year's Minnesota Varsity Showcase Concert. Take a listen and witness strong evidence, in the work of these young performers and composers, of a bright future for classical music!

The 2017 Showcase Artists were featured first, their selections reflecting bold choices and passionate playing. Pianist Nita Qiu, 14, of Woodbury, opened the program with Frederic Chopin's Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20. Cellist Nygel Witherspoon, 15, of Minneapolis, played the 3rd movement of the rarely heard Solo Cello Sonata, Op. 8 (1915) by Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly. Next was pianist Emma Taggart, 14, of Blaine, with Edward MacDowell's Praeludium from his First Modern Suite (1883). Cellist Madeline Sheard, 17, of Maple Grove, performed the 1st movement of Edouard Lalo's Cello Concerto in D minor. And another infrequently heard work, Arno Babajanian's Poem (1966), was presented by pianist Mina Yuan, 17, of Maple Grove.

Closing the concert, the 2017 Showcase Composers' new works were performed by Ben Osterhouse, cello, Roque Diaz, trumpet, and Carson Rose Schneider, piano, all of whom are pursuing graduate degrees at the University of Minnesota School of Music. Those pieces were:

Nicholas Christenson, 17, of Minneapolis: The Burnt Offerings (and the Peace Offerings) for cello and piano Sam Hanson, 14, of St. Paul: Ironic Contrasts for trumpet, cello, and piano.

Get to know the 2017 Showcase Artists and Composers via their video interviews:

Showcase Round Artists

Nina Qiu, 14, Piano (Woodbury)

Nygel Witherspoon, 15, Cello (Minneapolis)

Emma Taggart, 14, Piano (Blaine)

Madeline Sheard, 17, Cello (Maple Grove) – Audience Vote Winner

Mina Yuan, 17, Piano (Maple Grove)

Showcase Round Composers

Nicholas Christenson, 17, (Minneapolis): Proximity for cello and piano

Sam Hanson, 14, (St. Paul): Ironic Contrasts for trumpet, cello, and piano

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->