ABERDEEN, S.D. –  The 2017 Northern State University Concerto-Aria Competition will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16, in the Krikac Auditorium.

The competition is a project of the Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony, administered by Dr. Robert Vodnoy, conductor of the AUCS and professor of strings and music history. Winner(s) of the annual competition will perform with the orchestra at their winter concert on Feb. 21.

All of the vocal competitors will perform arias from operas. Included in the selections are arias from “The Merry Widow” by Lehar, “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart, “Romeo and Juliet” by Gounod, and "Rusalka” by Dvorak.

This year’s vocal competitors include Amanda McIlravy of Phillip; Annabelle Eastman of Aberdeen; Taylor Brekke of Mobridge; and Elsa Swanson of Chaska, Minn.

Instrumental competitors will perform classical, romantic, impressionist and modern compositions, including works for soloist and orchestra by Beethoven, Bruch, David, Bottesini, Chaminade and Rosauro.

This year’s instrumental competitors include Xin Wang of Nanjing, China; Paulo Daniel Jimenez Cossio of Cochabamba, Bolivia; Leandro Fernandez-Moutin of Rosario, Argentina; Tierra Decker of Huron; Brady Vandevort of Rapid City; Annie Woodmansey of Pierre; and Tanner Chilson of Watertown.

“The competition showcases some of NSU’s most talented students,” mentioned Vodnoy. “In addition to choosing the winners who will perform with the orchestra on its winter concert, this competition-recital is always a splendid musical evening in itself.”

Judges for the competition include Shirley Leiphon, relationship director of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Dr. John Brawand, musical director and conductor of the SDSU-Civic Symphony, and Dr. Michael Walsh, associate professor of clarinet at South Dakota State University and director of the “Windy Jacks” clarinet ensemble.

This concert is free and open to the public.

For more information about the competition and the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony, contact Vodnoy. Learn more about the orchestra at www.aberdeensymphony.org or visit the orchestra’s Facebook page.

About Northern State University

Northern State University offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. To learn more about NSU, visit NSU Admissions.