Glenn Korff School of Music graduate student Jordan Redd placed second during the National Round of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition-Brass Division in Spokane, Washington.
Redd won the State Round (brass division) of the MTNA competition in October 2018 and advanced to the West Central Regional Round. The regional round was done through video recordings, which was a new feature this year. Redd won that round in January 2019, which advanced him to the National Round. He was the only horn player that advanced to the National Round.
“Jordan is methodically making his mark on the horn world, and placing 2nd at the National Round of the MTNA competition is a major milestone of his career,” said Alan Mattingly, professor of horn at Nebraska. “There is no doubt Jordan will continue to grow as a performer and leader in the horn world.”
Redd prepared for the National Round by memorizing all of his program.
“I woke up and was at the school practicing by 5:30 a.m. every morning,” Redd said. “I played my program from memory for anyone that would listen. Leading up to the final days before my departure, I drove to several different local places in Lincoln and played my program. I tried to pick places where there would be a lot of distractions so that I could train myself to stay focused no matter what.”
Redd played "Episodes" by James Naigus, "Laudatio" by Bernhard Krol, and the first movement of the Franz Strauss horn concerto.
“I am happy with the outcome,” Redd said. “The competitors were all extremely talented. I played the absolute best that I could have played. I know that I put in the work I should have and I left it all out there. Sure, it would have been nice to win, but last year I didn’t even place so there’s obvious progression. A lot of times we get caught up in the results, whether we 'win' or not. It can be unhealthy to look at things that way. The process of preparing and the progression of the journey is what we should be focused on. That’s how I’ve been able to find success.”
Redd also just found out last week that he passed pre-screening and has been invited for a live audition for the Philharmonia Orchestra of London’s brass fellowship.
“I am in the process of getting ready to fly over to London in April,” Redd said. “Everyone please wish me luck.”
--Brian Reetz, Glenn Korff School of Music