Annual Honors Recital Showcases OSOM Students

Olivia Fanjoy, Copy Editor/Social Media Manager • April 13, 2026

Published: April 13, 2026

On March 28, 2026, the Performance Hall at the Crewe Center for the Arts at the University of Southern Maine was filled with anticipation, energy, and a quiet sense of prestige as the Osher School of Music presented its 49th Annual Honors Recital. Featuring a carefully selected group of student performers who earned their places through auditions, the concert celebrated some of the school’s most accomplished and dedicated musicians.

The evening began with explosive energy. Saxophonist Chris Caliskan opened the program with George Garzone’s Snow Place Like Home, delivering a bold, loud performance full of soprano saxophone. Supported by an equally energetic rhythm section, the tune immediately set the scene for the night.

From there, the program unfolded with a thoughtful balance of styles and voices. Musical theater selections brought storytelling and immediacy to the stage. Kaelan Gildart performed works from She Loves Me and In a Restaurant by the Sea with charm and clarity, while Karoline Brechter’s rendition of Meadowlark was expressive and deeply felt.

The instrumental performances demonstrated technical control and musical maturity. Pianists Mackenzie Renner and Logan Peters each brought intensity and nuance to their respective works by Beethoven and Chopin, navigating demanding repertoire with confidence and individuality, while violist Heitor Mantovani-Ferreira presented Bach’s Suite No. 3.

Jared Vigue’s performance of Liszt’s Tre Sonetti di Petrarca showcased some of his senior recital repertoire, lyrical sensitivity, and vocal power.

The recital concluded powerfully and memorably with soprano Aberdeen Brickett’s performance of Mozart’s “Come scoglio” from Così fan tutte. With remarkable control, clarity, and presence, Brickett delivered a show-stopping finale that brought the evening to a close with both elegance and strength.

The annual Honors Recital reflects the work, discipline, and artistry within the Osher School of Music. The array of performances showcased the student body’s talent. The evening was vibrant, polished, and deeply engaging, leaving the audience with a clear sense of accomplishment and possibility.

Volume 57 Issue 15

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About the Contributor

Olivia Fanjoy, Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Fanjoy is a clarinetist, writer, and the Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Free Press for the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of Southern Maine. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Her interest in journalism grew out of a fascination with ideas, institutions, and the ways people communicate with one another. At The Free Press, she is especially interested in stories surrounding higher education, campus culture, the arts, and the growing role of technology in everyday life. She believes student journalism should challenge people to think critically while still remaining deeply connected to the community it serves. Outside of the newsroom, Fanjoy studies clarinet with Dr. Thomas Parchman and performs with the Osher School of Music Wind Ensemble and the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed in numerous pit orchestras for musicals and opera productions, including productions of Urinetown, Heathers, Fiddler on the Roof, and Gianni Schicchi. Fanjoy also works at Great Waters Summer Concerts, where she has developed experience in nonprofit arts management, marketing, and community engagement. As a visually impaired musician, she is passionate about accessibility, creative expression, and building environments where people feel encouraged to participate, question, and grow.