O’Dell Wins K.C. Composition Competition

Clarke student Adam O’Dell is the winner of the the 2013 Kansas City Orchestral Composition Competition.O’Dell, who will be a junior at Clarke in the fall, is a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School.The contest was open to music students who are currently working on a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree (or anyone who has recently finished such a degree) in music in Missouri, or any state contiguous to Missouri.

The award comes with a $250 stipend, and a performance of the work by the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City. O’Dell will be traveling to Kansas City Oct. 19 for the rehearsal of the piece, and the concert will premiere the completed version of his piece “The Black Hills Overture” on Oct. 20 in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel at Park University in Parkville, Mo.

“Adam is a talented young composer whose works have been recognized over the last two years by several competitions and professional composer conferences,” said LaDonna Manternach, Clarke Music Department chair. “He is a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School and the music program there, which prepared him well for advanced study in music and composition at Clarke.

“Adam has a musical energy that is contagious. He is driven to work out his ideas. The Clarke ensembles have performed several of his pieces. His composition teacher, Dr. Amy Dunker, must be commended for encouraging her students to put their music out to the public. We at Clarke University are very proud of Adam and of his achievement. Stay tuned for more good things from him.”