Where Are They Now? spotlights Minnesota Varsity Featured and Showcase Artists from 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The Drevlow siblings from Thief River Falls, Minn., were involved in Minnesota Varsity in 2011 and in 2013. They recently got in touch with Classical MPR's Christine Sweet to share what they're doing now.
Brianna Drevlow, 2011 Featured Artist
Piano
Age: 19
From: Thief River Falls, Minn.
Attends: Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.
I am currently a sophomore majoring in Piano Performance along with Cello Performance and Theatre Arts minors. I perform piano wherever I can and also play cello with the Concordia College Orchestra and Chamber Orchestras.
After Concordia I plan on obtaining a doctoral degree in Piano Performance and continuing my career as a performing musician. I will also devote my time to teaching in a university setting with students who are as passionate about music as I am.
In 2011, I was named a Minnesota Varsity Featured Artist, playing a movement of Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto, with my brother Brett as my accompanist. In 2013, I was the accompanist for my brother Brayden, as he was named a Featured Artist for his performance of the first movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1. Being able to play with my brothers has provided some of the most memorable Minnesota Varsity experiences. We spent countless hours practicing together to prepare these pieces! It helped us all decide to pursue music performance in college and to collaborate more often. Another tremendous experience was performing live on the MPR stage at the State Fair.
I am so thankful for the Minnesota Varsity opportunity and scholarship. Best wishes to all competing in this year's Varsity contest! Enjoy every moment of it!
Brett Drevlow, Accompanist to 2011 Featured Artist Brianna Drevlow
Age: 18
From: Thief River Falls, Minn.
Attends: Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.
I am a freshman at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. I am thankful to Minnesota Public Radio for hosting the Varsity program and for helping make possible a $16,000 scholarship at Concordia. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Double Bass Performance and a minor in Piano Performance. Upon graduation from Concordia, I intend to pursue a doctoral degree in Double Bass Performance and pursue a career as a professional bassist with a major symphony orchestra.
I am currently a member of the Concordia College Orchestra, Concordia College Chamber Orchestra, and play regularly with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.
One of my favorite experiences with Varsity would include the number of doors that have been opened for me. I have made numerous contacts around the world as a result, that have taken me from Minnesota and North Dakota to Brazil and Italy.
The Varsity experience is a milestone for any accomplished young musician to pursue. I wish the best to each entrant for this year's contest. Practice, practice, practice!
Brayden Drevlow, 2013 Featured Artist
Piano
Age: 17
From: Thief River Falls, Minn.
Attends: Home schooled; Choir and Orchestra at Lincoln Sr. High School
I plan to pursue a career in music upon graduation from high school. I am planning to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., with my siblings, Brianna and Brett Drevlow. I currently study piano with Dr. Jay Hershberger at Concordia College. I also play violin and have recently studied with Mr. Derek Druse (Thief River Falls) and Mr. Valdin Buchmeier (formerly of Crookston, Minn.). I am currently a member of the Lincoln Senior High School Symphony Orchestra, the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, and I play often with the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra. I also enjoy playing piano concertos as a soloist with symphony orchestras, and the Minnesota Varsity experience helped open that door. I was able to play the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 last year with my high school orchestra and with the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. It was an amazing experience to work with accomplished director Beverly Everett!
This past summer, I worked with Brianna and Brett to record our first CD. The Minnesota Varsity experience helped us to realize that we should collaborate. We recorded 13 traditional church hymns and did our own arrangements for piano, double bass and violin. You can view a sample of the CD on YouTube:
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