Mesquite Symphony Orchestra Announces Winners of Inaugural Scholarship Competition
Mesquite, Texas — The Mesquite Symphony Orchestra proudly announces the winners of its inaugural Scholarship Competition, recognizing outstanding young musicians and composers for excellence in performance and original composition. The winners will be featured soloists and composer at the upcoming Scholarship Gala concert on March 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Mesquite Arts Center.
The 2026 scholarship recipients are:
Juliana Gonzalez — Winner of the Weldon Minnick Memorial Scholarship for High School Concerto Performance. Ms. Gonzalez will perform the Cello Concerto by Édouard Lalo, a passionate and virtuosic work that showcases both technical brilliance and lyrical depth.
Samantha Hicks — Winner of the David L. Carrington Memorial Scholarship for College Concerto Performance. Ms. Hicks will perform the Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 by Camille Saint-Saëns, one of the most beloved works in the cello repertoire.
Trace Freeman — Winner of the Ralph Wisenbaker Memorial Scholarship for Composition. The orchestra will premiere his original work, What You Speak Of, Is No Righteousness, during the concert.
In addition to featuring the scholarship winners, the Scholarship Gala program will include Recess by Nathan Johnson and Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”) by Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most celebrated symphonic works in the orchestral repertoire.
The Scholarship Gala concert represents a significant milestone for the organization, highlighting its ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting the next generation of musicians and composers. The evening promises to be an inspiring celebration of artistry, dedication, and community engagement.
Tickets for the March 28 performance are available through the Mesquite Arts Center box office and online at www.mesquitesymphony.org.
For more information about the Scholarship Gala or the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra’s education initiatives, please visit www.mesquitesymphony.org.