Michael Sears and Jacob Jennings perform a duet on marimba last month at the Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy Contest, where they placed third in the collegiate division. (Submitted photos)

April 17, 2018

Percussion students place at state competition

Jacob Adamek placed third in the collegiate division of solo concert snare drum at the Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy Contest.

Jacob Jennings and Michael Sears are pictured with percussionist Ji Hye Jung, who adjudicated the contest.

Three Northwest Missouri State University percussion students were among the top performers recently at the Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy Contest.

Jacob Adamek, a junior music major from Platte City, Missouri, placed third in the collegiate division of solo concert snare drum contest, and Jacob Jennings, a senior instrumental music education major from Camden, Missouri, and Michael Sears, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Platte City, Missouri, received third place in the collegiate division for their percussion duet on marimba.

Adamek and Sears are students of music instructor Drew Morales, and Jennings is a student of Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Katy Strickland. Their participation in the contest was funded by an undergraduate research grant.

Northwest students have participated in the Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy Contest for each of the last four years, and this marks the first year Northwest placed in multiple categories.

“These young men work hard to balance the preparation of complex music with their scholarly and social lives and learn so much in the process,” Strickland, who also serves as chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for them to interact with and listen to other young percussionists and masters in the field.”

The contest took place March 2-3 at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, and featured guest artists Ji-Hye Jung and Nick Petrella.