Competition winners to perform with Augustana Symphony Orchestra

Winners of the Augustana Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition will perform with the orchestra at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in Augustana’s Centennial Hall. Works spanning the Romantic era to the 20th century will be presented at the free performance.

Conducted by Dr. Hisham Bravo Groover, the program includes Bruckner's Overture in G minor, Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto, the first movement of Lalo's Cello Concerto, and two Bernstein songs, "Glitter and Be Gay" and "What a Movie!"

Featured soloists are competition winners Emily Churak '27, voice; Ian Empen '26, trumpet; and Dianna Hester '27, cello. Reflecting Augustana's emphasis on the liberal arts, the students' majors include music education, the sciences and the humanities.

Emily Churak, a vocalist from Fox River Grove, Ill., is a junior majoring in instrumental music education and minoring in jazz. She plays in the Augustana Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos and SMILE (Secondary Musical Instrument Ensemble). After Augustana, Churak plans to teach high school band and choir.

“I truly love making music, whether it is the trumpet or through singing, and I hope to share that love with my future students!” she said.

Trumpet-player Ian Empen of Rock Island, Ill., is a senior majoring in psychology and geography. After graduation this May, he plans to work locally in the non-profit sector.

“Music has been where I have met some of my closest friends and made some of my best memories,” Empen said. “I am grateful to be able to take the stage and perform my piece with the orchestra!”

Dianna Hester, a cellist from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a junior majoring in neuroscience and philosophy with minors in ethics and music. Hester participates in the Augustana Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra and a string quartet.

Last summer, she traveled to Los Angeles with Dr. Dong Yeol Hong for the Montecito International Music festival, where she performed with ensembles of students from around the world.  

“I love how integrated and accessible Augustana’s music programs are,” Hester said. After college, she plans to pursue a doctorate in neuroethics and law.

Up to three winners are selected by a panel of outside judges in the annual competition, which is open to all students.