On Friday night, Feb. 18, Sauder Concert Hall will be alive with the sound of music as the 51st annual Concerto-Aria Concert commences.

In the fall semester, music students took part in the Concerto-Aria Competition.  The winners of that competition will be performing Friday.

The winners include: Andrea Detweiler, a junior mezzo-soprano, performing “Non piu mesta” from La Cenerentola written by Gioachino Rossini; Amy Hansen, a senior soprano, performing “Alleluia” from Exsultate, Jubilate written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Emily Trapp, a sophomore, performing the first movement from Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 15 written by Ludwig van Beethoven; Ana Yoder, a senior, playing Capriccio brillante, Op. 22 written Felix Mendelssohn on piano; Justin Yoder, a sophomore, performing the first movement from Cello Concerto in B-flat Major, G. 482 written by Luigi Boccherini.

For those less familiar with musical jargon, a concerto is a composition for a soloist and an orchestra.  Often, concertos are characterized by a playful back and forth between the soloist and orchestra.  An aria is an elaborate song for solo voice, also backed by a full orchestra.

Justin Yoder said, “This experience is a great opportunity to gain experience as a solo musician.” He added that playing with an orchestra brings along a whole new set of challenges that you don’t encounter in ensembles.  When asked how many hours he has spent this week in anticipation for Friday’s concert, he blushed, and said, “I couldn’t tell you.”

Ana Yoder has spent more than mere hours practicing for this event. “I’ve had this song since July of 2009,” she said.  Ana Yoder said that being able to work on her 11 minute piece off and on for a year and a half has given her the chance to grow in her musicianship and understanding of the piece.  “I play it with more emotion now,” she said.

Ana Yoder is excited about this chance to play with an orchestra backing her.

She said, “Professor Fashun and the orchestra have been great to work with. It’s been crazy intense and a lot of hard work, but it’s also been fun.”

The orchestra will also be performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21.

The Concerto-Aria Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in Sauder Concert Hall this Friday (Feb. 18). Tickets are available at the door one hour before the concert, and cost $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for GC faculty, staff and students with IDs.