KU News Release

KU doctoral student wins Naftzger Young Artists Auditions with vocal performance

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas doctoral student and vocalist Angela Rae “Angie” Solomon won the grand prize of $5,000 at the 2007 Naftzger Young Artists Auditions. KU junior Eunmee Song won the $2,000 piano-division prize.

The auditions took place May 4 and 5 at Wichita State University. A record 74 college-age musicians entered the competition.

Two other KU students were selected as finalists: Nicholas James Susi, a senior studying piano, and Lindsay Marie Ohse, a master’s degree student in voice.

“We are extremely proud of the work our students and their professors are accomplishing,” said Larry Mallett, chair of the Department of Music and Dance. “Our faculty do a wonderful job of preparing our students to be professional musicians, and their work is validated by our students’ outstanding success at major competitions.”

Solomon, a soprano who studies under Joyce Castle, KU professor of voice, was selected over eight other finalists in a public recital. Her winning performance consisted of Handel’s Piangero la sorte mia from Giulo Cesare, Rodrigo’s De Donde venis, amore?, Argento’s Diaphenia from Six Elizabethen Songs and Offenbach’s Les Oiseaux dans la charmille from les Contes d’ Hoffman.

This year marked the 68th Naftzger Young Artists Auditions, which are made possible by the Naftzger Fund for Fine Arts, created by Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Naftzger in memory of L.S. Naftzger, Ida L. Naftzger and Lee Southwell Naftzger II. The competition is open to residents of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma who are enrolled in any college, university or conservatory and nonresident students attending college in Kansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.

The auditions are administered by the Wichita Symphony Society.

KU winners and finalists are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, previous schools attended and award.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Lindsay Ohse, master’s degree student in voice, daughter of David and Susan Ohse; bachelor’s degree in music from KU, fall 2005; Topeka High School.

IOWA
From Anamosa 52205
Angela Rae Solomon, doctoral student in voice, daughter of Bruce and Sherry Engelbert; bachelor’s degree from College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn.

MISSOURI AND PENNSYLVANIA
From St. Louis, Mo., and Erie, Pa.
Nicholas James Susi, senior in piano, son of Jesse and Janet Susi; Desmet Jesuit High School.

SOUTH KOREA
From Anyang City
Eunmee Song, junior in piano.

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