The students will be performing in a large symphonic orchestra at the Missouri Music Educator’s Conference on Jan. 28. String players were accepted into the All-Collegiate Orchestra based upon their backgrounds and recommendations. The wind and brass positions were all determined by blind auditions.

Dr. Sara Edgerton, conductor of the Southeast Missouri Symphony, said, “Having nine Southeast students selected to participate is a significant achievement for the Department of Music and the University. They will be performing with music students from across the state and will be fantastic representatives for Southeast and it’s music programs.” 

Southeast students selected for the All-Collegiate Orchestra include: 

• Trinity Smallwood (violin), a sophomore computer science major with a double minor in music and mathematics from O’Fallon, Mo.
• Whitney Zeamer (violin), a sophomore marine biology major with a minor in music from St. Joseph, Mo.
• Clayton Bridgeman (viola), a sophomore instrumental performance major from Cape Girardeau, Mo.
• Andrew Signaigo (string bass), a junior composition music major from Fenton, Mo.
• Anthony Kandilaroff (Flute I), a freshman cybersecurity major from Maryland Heights, Mo.
• Rylie Martin (Oboe I), a junior instrumental performance major from Festus, Mo.
• Shawna Creaser (Oboe II), a junior music major from Montgomery, Texas
• Charles Hrdlicka (Clarinet II), a senior instrumental performance major from Washington, Mo.
• Evan Short (Bassoon II), a senior vocal performance major with a fine art entrepreneurship minor from Ste. Genevieve, Mo. 

Kandilaroff said, “What I’m most excited for is playing new repertoire. It’s a huge rush and you never know what you’re going to get until it’s put in front of you. It really tests your ability and forces you to be the best version of yourself because the repertoire isn’t easy. Playing and adapting with a completely new ensemble that you’ve never performed with is a part of that.” 

For Short being selected for this ensemble brings a mixture of excitement and pressure.

“It’s an honor to be selected for this group, but knowing I will be playing alongside the best college musicians in the state makes me want to get to work and make sure I bring my A-game,” he said. “I am most excited about being able to meet and work with some amazing musicians from across the state. This will be an amazing opportunity to network and make new friends in the music world.”

Signaigo agreed, saying being selected is an honor and a blessing to interact with other musicians. 

“I'd heard about the All-Collegiate Orchestra early on when I came to Southeast but never imagined being nominated for it,” Signaigo said. "I am most looking forward to meeting musicians from different campuses as well as having the experience of being part of an exciting state-wide event!”

About the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA):

MMEA is the principal music organization in Missouri, with membership including K-12 music educators, college-level music educators and many affiliated areas of musical interest and study.  The conference attracts thousands of music students and music educators each year. The All-Collegiate Orchestra performance is one of the highlights of the conference. Selectees will be given music in December to begin preparing for their performance at the conference on Jan. 28, 2022.

Photo caption: Top row, left to right, are Southeast students Evan Short, Charles Hrdlicka, Rylie Martin, Shawna Creaser and Andrew Signaigo. Bottom row, left to right, are Southeast students Clayton Bridgeman, Trinity Smallwood, Whitney Zeamer and Anthony Kandilaroff.