Westminster College's Department of Music hosted its annual concerto and aria competition March 7.

The winner of the vocal category was Deanna Owens, a senior music education major.  She is a daughter of Jeff and Mary Owens of Waterford and a graduate of Fort Le Boeuf High School.  Owens is from the studio of Dr. Anne Hagan Bentz, Westminster associate professor of music.

The winner in the instrumental category was Shawn Sisler, a senior music education major.  He is a son of Randy and Sharon Sisler of Lancaster, S.C., and a graduate of Waterloo High School.  Sisler studies saxophone with James Flowers, Westminster adjunct music faculty.

The winners will perform with the Westminster College Orchestra at the May 1 concert.

Additional Westminster students who participated are:
• Sara Eliser, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Patricia Eliser of Youngstown, Ohio, and a graduate of Liberty High School.  She is from the oboe studio of Shawn Reynolds, adjunct music faculty.
• Leaha Parady, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Kevin and Marie Parady of Edinburg and a graduate of Union Area High School.  She is from the piano studio of Dr. Nancy Zipay DeSalvo, associate professor of music.
• Anne Rematt, a junior music performance major, is a daughter of Denise Rematt of Northern Cambria and a graduate of Northern Cambria High School.  She studies voice with Bentz.
• Kevin Schneider, a senior business administration major, is a son of Charles and Mimi Schneider of McKees Rocks and a graduate of Montour High School.  He is from the trombone studio of Robert Matchett, adjunct music faculty.
• Sara Seiberling, a senior music performance and business administration major, is a daughter of William and Leah Seiberling of Huntingdon and a graduate of Huntingdon Area High School.  She is from the voice studio of Janet Kane, adjunct music faculty.
• Douglas Swanson, a senior music education major, is a son of Douglas Swanson of Greenville and a graduate of Greenville High School.  He is from the trumpet studio of Andrew Erb, adjunct music faculty.

Judges were Dr. Stephen Barr, composer, professor of theory, director of the choral program at Slippery Rock University, and a 1998 Westminster graduate; and Brendan Considine, violinist with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, concert master of the Greenville Symphony, and classroom supervisor for the Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University.

The competition was organized by DeSalvo, who founded it nine years ago, and sponsored by Mu Phi Epsilon professional music fraternity.

Contact DeSalvo at (724) 946-7023 or e-mail desalvnj@westminster.edu for additional information.

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