Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Latest:
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Lifestyles

Stevens showcases talents at senior recital

Guest Author
Senior Curtis Stevens, of Ogallala, plays the trumpet during his senior recital in the Chicoine Atrium Saturday. —Photo by Brianna Wilson
Senior Curtis Stevens, of Ogallala, plays the trumpet during his senior recital in the Chicoine Atrium Saturday. —Photo by Brianna Wilson

Sporting his favorite musical tie, which contrasted interestingly with his blue shirt, Curtis Stevens, senior trumpeter of Ogallala, awed his audience with a selection of four pieces as part of his senior recital Saturday.
As the sun set, an audience of roughly 72, nearly a full house, welcomed Stevens as he entered the room, followed by Sidney Shuler, assistant music professor, and Bobby Pace, accompanist.
The first piece, “Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major,” by Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, was quick and moving. Pace accompanied them on the baby grand and Stevens was joined by Shuler on the trumpet.
“Because I was playing the piccolo trumpet, the Vivaldi was the most challenging,” Stevens said.
The upbeat song was more fitting with the inside décor of potted plants with vibrant green leaves than the setting sun and bare trees seen through the windows.
For the second piece, Allen Kissack, junior of Sidney, took Shuler’s place on stage playing the trombone. “Double Concerto for Trumpet, Trombone, and Orchestra,” by Eric Ewazen was a mournful piece that also had a majestic essence. Stevens said this was the most challenging piece “because of the technical demands, the music, the leaps and jumps in the melodies and the collaboration with two other performers.”
Intermission followed and the audience started to buzz, timidly at first but shortly after, the Chicoine Atrium was humming.
When Stevens and Pace reentered the stage, they were greeted by enthusiastic applause and a few whistles from the front of the crowd.
Stevens said the best piece he played was “Concerto for Trumpet inEb Major, Hob Vlle:1,” by Franz Joseph Haydn.
The second part, “Andante,” had a Christmas-carol feel to it that complimented the cool evening.
During the second movement of “Sonata for Trumpet and Piano,” by Karl Pilss, “Adagio, molta cantabile,” Stevens created an interesting sound when he used a mute on his instrument.
Stevens said the third movement, “Allegro agitato,” was his favorite because “there’s so many musical things you can do with that piece.”
“Fine execution,” said Carol Wright, of Chadron, and a member of the Community Choir. She also said Stevens performed excellently and she was impressed with the variety of his work.