University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music graduate student Sanda Mašić was recently named a First Prize winner at the Charleston Romantic International Competition.
“Since my early childhood I learned that competitions are a very important aspect in the educational progress of every musician,” Mašić said. “I was not taught to go to the competition to beat other people, instead of that my only goal was to play well and win myself, to push my limits more forward and to be a better musician. Anyway, I cannot lie – I am extremely happy to be announced as a winner of the Charleston Romantic International Competition 2020, which I see as a kind of a proof that my work is recognized, and the hours of practicing were worth a struggle and this accomplishment gives me a lot of hope and motivation to continue practicing, performing and competing more in future.”
Mašić has competed in multiple competitions since she was a child, but this was just a second competition she participated in since she started her studies with Dr. John Bailey at UNL.
“Sanda is a natural performer, and a truly accomplished flutist,” said Richard H. Larson Distinguished Professor of Music (Flute) Dr. John Bailey. “I am so proud of her achievements in her very first semester at UNL. Sanda arrived at UNL with technical mastery, and she has been keen to gain insight into a broad range of repertoire and stylistic playing. Her thirst for knowledge and new repertoire has been extraordinary. What a pleasure to work with her!”
Mašić said, “Under his tutoring I recently won the UNL Concerto Competition 2020/21 and now, after winning the Charleston Romantic International Competition 2020 I am even more sure that I made a right decision to come to UNL to study with Dr. Bailey. On this competition, I performed Grand Polonaise op. 16 for flute and piano by Theobald Boehm with the help of my good friend and amazing pianist Hyunjin Kim.
“Besides being very thankful to Dr. Bailey for all the work he did in the past semester and which made me have a lot of progress as both musician and person, I would like to thank to my family and my friends - old and new ones I made at the UNL for believing at me and for supporting me on my musical journey as well as to professor Miomir Simonović. I would also like to congratulate fellow DMA student at UNL and amazing musician Jordan Redd, who was also announced as a winner of this competition in the category of French horn.”