Playing classical music takes a lot of hard work and dedication — especially for soloists. To be a soloist, musicians must spend hours practicing before the big audition.

Six students made the cut and performed Tuesday as soloists in the Wichita State Symphony Orchestra concert. Students auditioning had to perform in front of professors and judges. A wide variety of musicians auditioned.

“We do the soloist show once a year, and the soloist aspect is the overall theme,” said professor of music Mark Laycock. “This show is the highlight of the year, and it is always amazing to see what these students can do.”

The selection process occurred in November and all students in the School of Music were eligible to tryout. A panel of professors narrowed the field to 14 candidates after hearing them sing or play. Then, they auditioned for two judges not affiliated with WSU, who narrowed down the soloists to six students.

“The first round of auditions was pretty standard because we’re used to singing in front of our professors,” said opera student Renee Macdonald. “The final round was more nerve-wracking since they were outside judges, but again, most of us are used to competing.”

The students also had to meet other criteria before being chosen.

“The six that were selected were a bit more polished and selective,” said Laycock. “We take audience appeal into account as well as depending on how dramatic or interesting a piece is. We have to make sure the performer fits the theme of the song they are going to be playing.”

Next, the musicians are in for some hard work.

“This is quite the experience because I have never played with an entire orchestra before,” said senior cellist Maria Begacheva. “At first, I wasn’t even sure if I was going to audition because this piece is more of an opera and I usually play concertos, but I’m glad I did and I’m really excited for the performance.”

Playing a solo with an orchestra is different than playing with a pianist. The soloists practiced with the orchestra in order to check how they sound together and if they blended well.  

“When you’re playing with just a pianist, they are able to catch you if you fall,” said Macdonald. “But with the orchestra, you have to stay with the conductor because it is an entire group of players so they can’t accommodate for you if you mess up.”

Macdonald and Begacheva agreed that the experience of playing with a full-sized orchestra is unlike anything they have ever done before, and although it is exciting, there are some challenges to overcome.

“Finding balance is the biggest issue,” said Begacheva. “The large orchestra is playing right behind you so you have to make sure that your sound can shine through.”

Although the show has taken lots of time to prepare for, the soloists were excited about the new experience.

“These soloists have come in well prepared and are easy to work with,” said Laycock. “They have done a tremendous job of fitting their artistry into the orchestra.”

Begacheva and Macdonald, along with Anna Eberly, flute, Brandon Pauly, trumpet, Carolyn Ramseur, mezzo-soprano, and Diana Wensley, trumpet, are featured in Aaron Copeland’s “Outdoor Overture.” Begacheva played “Meditation,” from Jules Massenet’s opera “Thais.”

Eberly soloed in the first movement of Carl Nielsen’s “Flute Concerto.” Wensley and Pauley played Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Trumpets.” Ramseur sang “Wie de warst!” from Richard Strauss’s comic opera “Der Rosenkavalier.” Macdonald also sang “Magda’s Aria” by Gian Carlo Menotti.