University Concerto Competition
Overview
The University Concerto Competition is an annual event designed to give outstanding undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to perform as a soloist with one of the university’s orchestras. The 2024-2025 competition will feature the CSU Orchestras. There are no limitations on the instrumentation of the accompanying ensemble within reason. The application deadline is Friday, October 11, 2024.
The Final Round of the competition will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, in the Organ Recital Hall. A winner chosen by the judges will be selected to perform on the May 8 concert with the Symphony Orchestra. While there will likely be only one winner, there’s a possibility of other winners who would perform on other concerts in the spring semester. Please see the Information, Rules, and Procedures document below for complete dates and times. Any auditionee must be available for any of the dates listed below. Please note: there is no guarantee of a winner (or winners).
Finalists
Peter Hansen
Peter Hansen is a second-year Master of Music student at Colorado State University, studying clarinet with Dr. Wesley Ferreira. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Boise State University, where he studied with Dr. Leslie Moreau. At CSU, Peter serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) for the Marching Band, contributing to both the marching techniques and the musical aspects of their performances. Prior to joining CSU, Peter was an active performer in the Boise area. He soloed with the University Orchestra, performing Spohr’s First Clarinet Concerto. He also held the principal clarinet positions in both the University Orchestra and the Symphonic Winds at Boise State. Peter possesses a strong teaching background, having instructed students of various levels, from beginners to fellow peers. He is also an active community musician, performing regularly and participating in local festivals such as Treefort. Originally from Elko, Nevada, Peter attended high school in the nearby town of Spring Creek. Throughout his high school years, he was an active member of honor bands, all-state bands, and all-state choirs. Beyond music, Peter enjoys reading, particularly fantasy novels, and is an avid player of tabletop role-playing games
Madina Rashidova
Madina Rashidova was born on December 14, 2001, in the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan, into an ordinary family. Her mother is a doctor, and her father is a policeman, so music was not part of her family’s background. Despite this, she discovered a deep love for music and became the first in her family to pursue it as a career. Rashidova began playing the oboe at the age of 12 when she was accepted into the Military Academic Lyceum of the National Guard in Uzbekistan in 2012. This was the beginning of her musical journey. During her time there, she participated in several national and international competitions, earning prizes such as first, second, and third places in the San’at G‘unchalari Republican Music Competition from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, Rashidova was accepted into the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Musicology and Oboe Performance. During her studies, she gained a deep understanding of Uzbek music and its history while advancing her oboe performance skills to a professional level. It was also during this time that she began learning English, which opened new opportunities and inspired her to dream of studying and building a career abroad. Rashidova successfully graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2023. While completing her degree, she worked as an oboist with the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan and the Musical Theatre named after Mukimi. These roles allowed her to gain valuable experience performing with orchestras, opera singers, and ballet dancers, further developing her passion for the performing arts. Now, Rashidova continues her studies at Colorado State University as a Master’s student. She is dedicated to advancing her skills, sharing her passion for music, and achieving her dream of building an international career.
Russell Wolfe
Russell Wolfe, 20, began taking violin lessons from Erin Webb at the University of Memphis Community Music School when he was three years old. He went on to study under Pak Chung Cheng and Barrie Cooper, and now studies with Ron Francois at Colorado State University, where he is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. In 2022, Russell won his category of the Beethoven Club of Memphis Young Artist Competition. He was a member of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program for eight consecutive seasons where he served various roles including concertmaster and 2023 concerto competition winner. In high school, Russell served as concertmaster of the White Station High School Orchestra and he has attended various orchestras and festivals, including the Memphis Summer Music Festival, Philadelphia International Music Festival, and Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. Alongside his musical studies, Russell enjoys backpacking, backcountry skiing, and is an avid long-distance runner. He completed his first ultramarathon when he was 15 years old, and has since completed 13 such races. Upon graduation, Russell plans to apply to medical school.