Seven musicians from the University of Montana's School of Music joined Professor Steven Hesla and MTPR on-air staff on Wednesday, April 15 for a live on-air chamber performance from KUFM's Studio B. Music by Arutiunian, Brahms and Mendelssohn filled part of the Public Radio Week edition of Wednesday's "Performance Today."
Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano (1992) Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012) (9:04)
I. Introduction: Lento
II. Scherzo: Allegretto
Chelsea Pierce, violin;
Devin Marvosh, clarinet;
Scott Koljonen, piano.
The four-movement work was commissioned by the Verdehr Trio in 1992.
Trio Contrast is a clarinet trio comprised of both undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Montana. The ensemble includes Chelsea Pierce, violin; Devin Marvosh, clarinet; and Scott Koljonen, piano. Last fall, Trio Contrast competed in and won the MTNA state level chamber music competition. In January they were awarded honorable mention at the divisional level of the MTNA competition. Trio Contrast enjoys performing in both concert and outreach settings, and performs variety of repertoire both new and old.
Brahms Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60 for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1875)
I. Allegro non troppo
Chelsea Pierce, violin;
Garion Holian, viola;
Matt Wellert, cello;
Adam Sears, piano.
Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1845)
II. Allegro energico e fuoco
Sarah Harmsworth, violin;
Matt Wellert, cello;
Scott Koljonen, piano.
About the performers:
Sarah Harmsworth, a junior in violin performance at UM, has studied with Margaret Baldridge since middle school. Most recently, Sarah was a winner in the UM Concerto-Aria Competition and performed the 3rd movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto with the UM Symphony Orchestra. Her recent enrollment in UM’ School of Music brought her back to her native Montana, where she is enjoying many musical opportunities, including playing great chamber music with her friends and classmates.
Garion Holian is completing his Master of Music Degree in viola performance this semester. A native of Missoula, Garion has studied viola with Margaret Baldridge since he was nine years old. He plans to teach viola privately while exploring other genres of performance, including chamber music.
Scott Koljonen, of Great Falls, MT, currently serves as the Graduate Teaching Assistant in piano at the University of Montana, where he is completing his Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance. He has been the state winner of both the Senior and Young Artist Competitions of the Music Teachers National Association.
Devin Marvosh is a senior clarinet performance and music education major from Las Vegas, NV. Devin enjoys both chamber music and solo performance and performed as a soloist with the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra after winning the concerto competition in 2012. Devin is currently completing his student teaching at Meadow Hill and Loyola schools in Missoula and looks forward to pursuing his dream of becoming a band director.
Chelsea Pierce is a senior at the University of Montana where she studies violin performance. Originally from Missoula, Chelsea is inspired by both chamber and orchestral performance, as well as teaching the violin to enthusiastic young students. Chelsea currently looks forward to a summer full of performance at the Round Top Festival Institute, where she will spend 6 weeks performing as a violinist in the Texas Festival Orchestra.
Adam Sears has enjoyed living in Missoula for his whole life. A senior at UM, Adam is studying with Professor Steven Hesla, and will complete a major in Piano Performance this semester. Adam won the state MTNA Young Artist Competition and was also a winner in the 2014-2015 UM Concerto/Aria Competition. He will serve as the Graduate Teaching Assistant in Piano at UM in the coming two years while earning his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance.
Matthew Wellert, born in Santiago, Chile, is a senior at the University of Montana majoring in sociology-criminology, forensic anthropology, and cello performance. For the past four years he has studied cello with U.M. Cello Professor Fern Glass Boyd. He is a cellist with the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra, Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Helena Symphony Orchestra, Great Falls Symphony Orchestra, Butte Symphony Orchestra, and various musical theatre productions for the University of Montana Theatre and Missoula Community Theatre.
