Hailee Colgrove Named Winner in Prestigious Concerto Competition

Hailee Colgrove, a music major at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ, has been named one of the winners of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Echo Kowalzek Youth Concerto Competition.

Colgrove earned the prestigious recognition after standing out in a competitive pool of applicants from across central and northern Minnesota.

Her selection not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the strength of Bemidji State’s Vocal Department. As a winner, she will perform with the Heartland Symphony Orchestra in concerts held in both Little Falls and Brainerd, giving audiences the opportunity to experience her artistry live.

Heartland Symphony Orchestra, a regional ensemble with multiple Bemidji State alumni, is conducted by Ryan Webber, an adjunct instructor of music at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ. Additionally, Dr. Miriam Webber, associate professor of music at Bemidji State, serves as the ensemble’s principal bassoonist.

The Echo Kowalzek Youth Concerto Competition provides young musicians with a platform to showcase their skills and gain valuable performance experience. Colgrove’s achievement adds to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s reputation for fostering exceptional musical talent.

The Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s spring concerts will take place March 22 at 7:30 p.m. and March 23 at 2:30 p.m. The program will feature a selection of works, including Film Music (For an Exit) by Ian T. Jones, which draws inspiration from both the uncertainty of leaving a familiar place and the innovative, genre-bending music of the English rock band Radiohead.