A musical odyssey
MINOT, N.D. – From Perth, North Dakota to Minot, Kevin Vandal has emerged as a musical virtuoso with roots that intertwine classical melodies and academic pursuits.
As a third-year student at Minot State University, Vandal, a Music Performance major with a concentration in piano, recently claimed victory in the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra (BMSO) Young Artist Competition.
Reflecting on the choice to attend Minot State, Vandal stated, "I chose MSU because it offered a wonderful music program experience that was also affordable and close to home."
Minot State's supportive faculty, especially in the music department, remains a cherished aspect of Vandal's academic experience.
Vandal has always known he wanted to be a musician.
"My passion for music has been fueled by a variety of performances and experiences over the years,” he said. “I have come to love making and encountering music, so I am eagerly pursuing a career in this field."
Vandal's musical journey — so far — has culminated in his victory in the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra (BMSO) Young Artist Competition, resulting from a long and arduous preparation.
"I made plans to compete and selected the music as early as the beginning of 2023. The preliminary audition round was virtual and took place in October, and the final audition round took place live in Bismarck in November," Vandal said. "I worked with my instructor and collaborative pianist, (Minot State professor) Dianna Anderson, and ended up winning using one movement of a three-movement piece.
Balancing academic responsibilities with intense music practice is no small feat, but Vandal approaches it with dedication.
"As a music student, practicing music is intrinsic to academic responsibility, so deliberate time management and effective study/practice strategies are essential," he said. "The added pressure of a performance date on the calendar just motivates me to be extra diligent and makes weekends and late evenings extremely useful."
Vandal envisions a couple performances, starting with the Minot Symphony Orchestra Saturday, March 16 in their presentation of “A Cry for Freedom” at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The Minot Symphony Orchestra presentation will be followed by Vandal’s full concerto performance in April with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra next month.
"I am delighted and blessed to be awarded this experience, and I look forward to soloing with the BMSO on April 20. I will be performing George Gershwin's ‘Piano Concerto in F,’" he explained. "Composed in the 20th century, this music contains elements of jazz and is full of memorable tunes - it is music that's easy to enjoy."
Influenced significantly by Anderson, his piano teacher, Vandal's musical identity has evolved through mentorship and experiences.
"I met her at the International Music Camp in 2017 and began taking lessons from her shortly after. This connection led to regularly attending MSU's Dakota Chamber Music summer program (DCM) and eventually enrolling at MSU," he said. "DCM sparked my love for collaborative music-making - an interest I am still pursuing."
As for his future, Vandal wants to specialize as a collaborative pianist and is looking forward to attending graduate school to better equip himself academically for his career. He also hopes to continue developing his audio and visual technological skills.
Tickets are available for the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra’s event feature Vandal on April 20. More information, including ticket prices, are available at the Bismarck Event Center’s WEBSITE. Tickets and information about Minot Symphony Orchestra’s “A Cry for Freedom” are available at the MSO’s WEBSITE.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 03/14/24
