Student soloist competition winners to perform with Virginia Tech Philharmonic
The Virginia Tech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mathias Elmer, performs at the Moss Arts Center on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The program will showcase the talents of student soloist competition winners Keenan Clemmitt and Haley Hansen.
The Virginia Tech Soloist Competition inaugurated in 2021 to give students who are participating in a campus music ensemble a chance to gain additional experience as soloists. The winners, chosen by three external adjudicators, get the unique chance to perform their solo repertoire with the Virginia Tech Philharmonic Orchestra or the Wind Ensemble. Preliminary and final auditions are held each fall semester, and the winners perform together with the large ensemble the following spring semester.
Meet the soloists for 2023:
Keenan Clemmitt, trumpet
Keenan Clemmitt is a junior studying computer science with a minor in music performance. He is from Fairfax, Virginia and has been playing the trumpet for nearly a decade. While growing up in Fairfax, he studied with Adrien Doctor and Barret Newman, who are both members of the Army Ceremonial band. Clemmitt is a member of the VT Philharmonic Orchestra, VT Wind Ensemble, and the VT Trumpet Ensemble. He is also a member of the Trumpet Studio and has been studying under Jason Crafton since his freshman year.
Haley Hansen, voice
Haley Hansen is a senior from Pembroke, Virginia. She is studying music education and vocal performance with Ariana Wyatt. During her time at Virginia Tech, she has participated in guest masterclasses, performed in the opera "Captain Lovelock," sung the national anthem at Virginia Tech commencement ceremonies, and performed as a soloist with the Virginia Tech Chamber Singers and the Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble. She also serves as an intern for the Blacksburg Children’s Chorale. Upon earning her master’s degree next year, she hopes to direct choirs full-time.
The concert program includes:
Overature from "L'Amant Anonyme" by Joseph Bologne
Trumpet Concerto by Edward Gregson, Keenan Clemmitt, trumpet
"Oh! quante volte" from "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" by Vincenzo Belllini, Haley Hansen, voice
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 by Johannes Brahms
The VT Philharmonic, along with soloists Keenan Clemmitt and Haley Hansen, invites the audience on a journey weaving together music, history, and love in a celebration of talent and dedication.
Tickets and parking
The performance is Wedneday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre at the Moss Arts Center, located at 190 Alumni Mall on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Tickets are $15 general, $12 senior, and $10 student and may be purchased through the Moss Arts Center ticket office in person or online. Tickets will also be available at the door beginning one hour prior to the performance.
All seating is general admission.
The performance will also be live streamed free via YouTube. Find out more here.
All university community members and visitors will need to display a parking permit, use the ParkMobile app, pay a fee, or pay using an hourly meter to park on the Blacksburg campus unless otherwise noted by signage. Find additional parking information online.
If you are an individual with a disability and/or desire an accommodation, please contact Susan Sanders prior to the event.
