DENTON (UNT), Texas -- University of North Texas College of Music doctoral student Laura Pillman won first place in the prestigious Coeur d'Alene Symphony National Young Artist Competition. Pillman, who is a flute performance major, received a trophy and will perform with the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra on March 11 and 12 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
The competition took place Jan. 9 and 10 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. More than 100 performers from across the nation vied for the opportunity to play with the symphony in categories that included high school, college and professional levels. Pillman beat out more than 50 performers, including eight finalists, to claim the top spot in the college level Winds, Brass and Percussion category.
"I feel excited beyond belief for this opportunity," Pillman said. "It is an important step to take as an artist to perform with an orchestra as a soloist. Playing a full concerto and performing on stage for a large audience allows me to build my artistry through first-hand experience."
The mission of the annual competition is to discover and encourage exceptional young musical talent in the U.S. All applicants must be under the age of 25 and submit an online audition video as part of the competition.
Pillman says this win has already had a major impact on further shaping her as a musician.
"This competition is giving me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of great musicians in the Coeur d'Alene Symphony," Pillman said. "This truly is an honor."
About the UNT College of Music
The College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the world. Approximately 1,500 music students attend the college each year, participating in nearly 70 widely varied ensembles while engaged in specialized studies in performance, composition, conducting, jazz studies, music education, music history, music theory or ethnomusicology. Music students, alumni and faculty have made appearances on the world's finest stages, have produced numerous recordings with many receiving Grammy awards and nominations, and have written influential texts in a variety of areas in music scholarship. Distinguished University alumni can be found around the globe in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities, and schools.