Rice University’s Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra will shine the spotlight on two exceptional musicians during the upcoming “Virtuoso Spotlight” set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 in Stude Concert Hall at Alice Pratt Brown Hall. This special event features current student Anne Pinkerton and 2024 graduate Dana Rath, both winners of the 2024 Shepherd School Concerto Competition, as they perform works that have been pivotal in their musical journeys. Jerry Hou, artist teacher of orchestras and ensembles, will lead the orchestra with tickets available through pay-as-you-wish pricing beginning at $0.
Pinkerton, whose grandparents encouraged her to first pick up the oboe in fifth grade, will take the stage with a work that for her has been a long time in the making — Marco Aurélio Yano’s Oboe Concerto. Composed in 1991, the concerto is known for its intricate interplay between lush melodies and Brazilian rhythms. Pinkerton’s journey with this piece has spanned years, and she said she’s excited to present it in its entirety with the full orchestra.
“I loved what it makes possible for the oboe,” said Pinkerton, a second-year master’s student studying under Robert Atherholt. “There’s some beautiful lyrical melodies, and then there’s just some really crazy technical passages.”
Pinkerton said her connection to the Yano concerto is deeply personal as she has long admired its musical depth and challenging passages.
“It’s a really difficult piece but really, really rewarding once you actually figure out how to play it,” Pinkerton said.
Yano, who faced significant health challenges before his passing in 1991 at age 27, infused the concerto with themes of resilience and hope.
“It speaks to Yano’s struggles with his disability,” Pinkerton said. “Then the third movement is a celebration of his life.”
On the same evening, Rath will offer audiences a rendition of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor. Known for its emotional depth and sweeping melodies, this concerto holds a special place in Rath’s heart.
“I’ve been listening to this piece for a really long time because it’s one of our most iconic pieces of repertoire,” said Rath, who studied under Desmond Hoebig, professor of cello. “When you think of concertos for cello, Dvořák’s probably the first one that most people are going to list.”
Rath began taking cello lessons with her mother when she was just 4 years old. Her performance marks a significant moment in her musical journey as it’s the first time she will present the piece with an orchestra of such scale. She added that this opportunity has allowed her to delve deeper into the nuances of Dvořák’s composition, studying the original manuscript to uncover the composer’s intentions through his handwritten notes.
“It takes a lot of restraint actually to play this piece because it’s quite simplistic in some areas,” Rath said. “In my opinion, it’s better not to add on to it with slides or ultraexpressive vibrato.”
As the two soloists step into the spotlight, they will not only showcase their technical skill but also their deep connection to the works they perform. For both artists, this concert represents a culmination of years of practice and a love for music that began in childhood and eventually brought them to the Shepherd School.
“I knew that I loved music,” Pinkerton said. “I grew up doing dance, so just having some way to interact and engage with music was always the thing I most looked forward to.”
“I never thought that I would have a career in music until recently,” Rath said, noting that she will join Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Orchestra at the end of November. “To know that it’s possible actually is pretty remarkable for me.”
For more information about the Shepherd School, the concert and ticketing, click here.