TAMIU Student Wins Fifth Annual Laredo Concerto Competition

The Fifth Annual Laredo Concerto Competition has named Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) cello student Osvaldo Ibarra as this year’s winner.

Ibarra played the Schumann Cello Concerto in a Minor and competed against several entrants.  The Laredo Concerto Competition opened its doors to all full-time students, including high school students, in the Laredo area this year.

“The standard of playing was extremely high and rather impressive,” said Andrew Uwe, Concerto Competition judge and Laredo Community College violin instructor.

As the winner, Ibarra was invited to perform his concerto as a soloist with the Laredo Philharmonic in its final performance of the season, Saturday Apr. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

“What won the competition for Oz [Osvaldo] was his obvious talent, but also the very high work ethic as evidenced by his performance,” said Suzanne Ramo-Gechter, Concerto Competition judge and TAMIU adjunct instructor of music and voice.

Ibarra began his cello career as a student at Lamar Middle School under the direction of Bea Balli. He went on to play in the orchestra at J. W. Nixon High School and attended the Vidal M. Treviño School of Fine Arts and Communications. Ibarra currently studies cello with Brendan Townsend, TAMIU assistant professor of music and music director of the Laredo Philharmonic.

 “It is a great honor to have the opportunity to perform alongside a professional orchestra. I am really looking forward to it,” said Ibarra.

For more information about the Laredo Philharmonic, visit www.laredophil.com or call 956.326.3030.

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