Concerto Competition
Only Baylor students may compete. See Guidelines for more info.
2025-2026 Results:
Winner: Nicholas Shih-Pogrebnoy (violin), student of Eka Gogichashvili
- Nicholas is student of Eka Gogichashvili. He performed Béla Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz. 112 and will have the opportunity to perform this with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra during the 2026-2027 year.
Other Finalists
- Mark Andrade, flute - student of Charlotte Daniel
- John Bai, piano - student of Shijun Wang
- Marco Cornel, clarinet - student of Ran Kampel
- Yuxuan Mao, piano - student of Shijun Wang
- Zach Monroe, horn - student of Kristy Morrell
- Samantha Olsen, double bass - student of Sandor Ostlund
- Nick Tesmer, tuba - student of Kent Eshelman
Judges
- Joseph Dubas - Principal Trombone, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
- Joel Pagán - Professor of Viola, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
- Stephanie Key - Artistic Director and Clarinetist, SOLI Chamber Ensemble; Clarinetist, Grand Teton Music Festival
- Lawrence Loh - Music Director, Waco Symphony Orchestra; Conductor Laureate, The Syracuse Orchestra
- Tali Morgulis - Associate Professor of Piano, University of Houston Moores School of Music
2024-2025 Results:
Winner: Mauricio Castillo (clarinet)
- Mauricio is a student of Ran Kampel. He performed Carl Nielsen’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 57, and will perform this concerto with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra.
Other Finalists
- Mark Andrade, flute (student of Charlotte Daniel)
- Hunter Bellows, euphonium (student of Kent Eshelman)
- Keren Garcia, violin (student of Patricia Shih)
- Javier Hernandez, horn (student of Kristy Morrell)
- Samantha Olsen, double bass (student of Sandor Ostlund)
- Mateusz Perz, piano (student of Bradley Bolen)
- Joel Tiotuico, organ (student of Jens Korndörfer)
Judges
- Barry Hearn, Principal Trombone, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Adjunct Associate Professor of Trombone, Southern Methodist University
- Franz Anton Krager, Director of Orchestral Studies and Professor of Conducting, University of Houston
- Jason Kwak, Regents' and University Distinguished Professor of Piano, Texas State University
- Kimberly Patterson, Associate Professor of Cello, University of Memphis
- Scott Plugge, Director of the School of Music and Professor of Saxophone, Sam Houston State University
2023-2024 Results:
Winner: Jianpeng Yang
- Yang performed Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 and will perform this concerto with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra in the future. He is a student of Shijun Wang, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Piano.
Honorable Mention
- Hutch Dunn, tuba, student of Kent Eshelman.
Other Finalists
- Yujie Bai, piano, student of Shijun Wang, D.M.A.
- Hunter Bellows, euphonium, student of Kent Eshelman, D.M.A.
- Marco Cornel, clarinet, student of Ran Kampel, M.M.
- Arielle Mack, cello, student of Philip Borter, D.M.A.
- Juan Gomez, oboe, student of Euridice Alvarez, D.M.A.
Judges
- Dr. Kayoko Dan - Music Director, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera; Director of Orchestral Studies, Sam Houston State University
- Dr. Alex McDonald - Concert pianist; Faculty, McDonald Music Studios; Festival Director, Basically Beethoven concert series
- Dr. Timothy Owner – Acting Second Trombone, Dallas Opera; Past member, San Francisco Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony; Faculty, McLennan Community College
- Mr. James Romeo – Piccolo, Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Adjunct Associate Professor of Flute, Southern Methodist University
- Dr. Daniel Saenz – Associate Professor of Cello, Sam Houston State University
2022-2023 Results:
Winner: Gina Gravagne
- Gina Gravagne, viola, student of Dr. Kathy Steely. She performed William Walton’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.
Honorable Mention
- Blake Moreland, horn, student of Dr. Kristy Morrell.
Other Finalists
- Cole Allex, saxophone; student of Dr. Michael Jacobson
- Matthew Davis, euphonium; student of Dr. Kent Eshelman
- Gracie Godsby, piano; student of Dr. Terry Lynn Hudson
- Derek Marcum, bassoon; student of Dr. Ann Shoemaker
- Colin Roberts, double bass; student of Dr. Sandor Ostlund
- Joshua Yan, piano; student of Dr. Shijun Wang
Judges
- David Itkin – Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies, University of North Texas; Music Director and Conductor, Abilene Philharmonic
- Kyle Koronka – Acting Principal Trumpet, Austin Symphony Orchestra; Part-Time Assistant Professor of Applied Music, Southwestern University
- Scott Plugge – Director of the School of Music and applied saxophone professor, Sam Houston State University
- Ellen Rose – Principal Viola (retired), Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Adjunct Associate Professor of Viola, Southern Methodist University
- Nancy Weems – Madison Endowed Professor and Division Head of Piano, University of Houston
2021-2022 Results:
Winner: Cezary Karwowski
- Cezary Karwowski, student of Dr. Bradley Bolen, who performed Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor by Frederic Chopin.
Other finalists:
- Cole Allex (saxophone), student of Dr. Michael Jacobson
- Hunter Bellows (euphonium), student of Dr. Kent Eshelman
- Darren Carter (violin), student of Dr. Eka Gogichashvili
- Sam Day (cello), student of Dr. Philip Borter
- Myles Meader (oboe), student of Dr. Euridice Alvarez
- Blake Moreland (horn), student of Dr. Kristy Morrell
- Joshua Painter (piano), student of Dr. Terry Lynn Hudson
Judges:
- Dr. Jung Choi, Assistant Professor of Oboe, University of North Texas
- Ms. Angela Fuller Heyde, Principal Second Violin, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Dr. Stacie Mickens, Associate Professor of Horn, University of North Texas
- Mr. Farkhad Khudyev, Assistant Professor of Orchestral Studies and Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, University of Texas at Austin
- Dr. Carolyn True, Professor of Piano, Trinity University
2020-2021 Results:
Winner: Miles Gillette-Bockhorn
- Miles Gillette-Bockhorn is a freshman BM student of Dr. Terry Lynn Hudson. He performed the Piano Concerto No. 2 in E Major, Op. 59, by Moritz Moszkowski.
Other finalists:
- Aidan Gettemy, cello, student of Dr. Philip Borter
- Sadie Hamrin, violin, student of Ms. Patricia Shih
- Kody Harrington, bassoon, student of Dr. Ann Shoemaker
- Olivia Jirousek, flute, student of Dr. Charlotte Daniel
- Alison Marseglia, trumpet, student of Mr. Wiff Rudd and Mr. Mark Schubert
- Brice Mayfield, piano, student of Dr. Terry Lynn Hudson
- Chase Teachey, euphonium, student of Dr. Kent Eshelman
Judges:
- Dr. Igor Lipinski, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Oklahoma
- Dr. Oleg Pokhanovski, Professor of Violin at the University of Manitoba
- Sasha Romero, Principal Trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (and former winner of the Baylor Concerto Competition)
- Mr. Stefan Sanders, Music Director of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic, and Central Texas Philharmonic
- Mr. William Short, Principal Bassoon of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
2019-2020 Results:
Winner: Fjoralba Zguro
- Fjoralba Zguro is a BM piano student of Dr. Jani Parsons and was named the winner with her performance of Ravel’s Concerto in G.
Other finalists
- Egle Uljas, piano, student of Krassimira Jordan
- Darren Carter, violin, student of Eka Gogichashvili
- Sarah Hamrin, viola, student of Kathy Steely
- Wolfgang Draving, oboe, student Euridice Alvarez
- Kody Harrington, bassoon, student of Ann Shoemaker
- Joseph Tkach, trumpet, student of Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert
- Chase Windmueller, euphonium, student of Kent Eshelman
Judges:
- Mr. Richard Giangiulio - Principal Trumpet (retired), Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Music Director, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
- Dr. Jonathan Guist - Associate Professor Music (Clarinet), University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
- Dr. German Gutierrez - Director of Orchestras and Professor of Orchestral Studies, Texas Christian University
- Dr. Kiyoshi Tamagawa - Professor of Music (Piano), Southwestern University
- Dr. Martha Walvoord - Associate Professor of Violin and Associate Chair of the Music Department, University of Texas at Arlington