After months of preparation, the winners of the Oakland Concerto Competition will perform with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra in the 16^th Annual David Daniels Young Artist Concert Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges led by Oakland Symphony Orchestra conductor Gregory Cunningham.  Janice Hauxwell-Hammond, representing the voice faculty, Mary Siciliano of the piano faculty and Miles Brown of the instrumental faculty, all helped Cunningham with the final decision.

“The concerto competition is always fiercely contested and we have to make a brutal choice. This year all of the finalists demonstrated great maturity, poise and artistry,” Cunningham said.

The winners were announced Jan. 11. Joe Walters was the selected piano student, Emily Hudock and Luke Perzyk were the instrumental department winners and voice students, Nicolette Book and Chynna Roose were chosen for the honor.

For Hudock, a first-year pre-instrumental performance major , this performance will continue a long list of solo experiences with various orchestras. Her first was at age 11 with the Oakland Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Hudock rehearsed with an accompanist, performed in a master class several times, and worked with her violin professor on a piece for about two months.

Book, a senior Vocal Performance major, took a similar approach with her preparation by rehearsing for three months and practicing at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Book took second place in her division.

“I worked exclusively with Professor Edith Diggory on the vocal technique used as well as the dramatic intent,” Book said.

For all five students this opportunity will be a learning experience and will help boost their resume.

“The biggest benefit this will be is to bulk up my résumé for graduate school auditions,” Book said.

Both Hudock and Book were ecstatic when the received the news in early January.

“I thought it would be a beautiful thing to perform this piece with orchestra, and be able to perform it for a larger audience,” Hudock said. “This is exactly the opportunity I was given.”

The David Daniels Young Artist Concert will be in the Varner Recital Hall.