NORFOLK, Neb. – Over 40 students participated in Northeast Community College’s Young Musician’s Competition recently. The virtual event attracted students from ten Nebraska high schools.
Kevin McLouth, director of instrumental activities at Northeast, said the solo competition allowed students to videotape a performance and then have it adjudicated by he and fellow music faculty members Kathi Angeroth, Stewart Cramer and Margaret Schultz. Students from Arthur County to Lincoln participated in the event.
“I think most participated as a pre-district music contest competition; a way to get a little feedback before the big day for these high school students,” McLouth said.
The contest was designed to allow students to choose their own literature, limited each performance to six minutes, and was administered free of charge.
Schultz said she was pleased the College was able to provide the students with an opportunity to perform and receive feedback on their performances.
“Due to COVID-19, this was the first performance opportunity this year that many of these kids have had,” she said.
McLouth said the contest comes at a time as some other contests have been scaled back or have been cancelled during the pandemic.
“Northeast music faculty members looked for a way to maybe help students find a performance venue, since it was conceived when we didn’t know if district music contests were even going to be held,” he said. “Several students did actually compete in more than one category. At this time, we are evaluating this year’s competition before we make a commitment to offer it again.”
In addition to receiving feedback from the music instructors, students who participated had the opportunity to be awarded two, $1,000 scholarships to Northeast. Students selected were Faith Blauhorn, of Palmer, and Grace Schavee, of Norfolk.
High schools represented in the competition included Arthur County, Blair, Homer, Leigh, Lutheran High Northeast, Newman Grove, Norfolk Senior High, Osmond, Palmer, and Pius X in Lincoln.
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