LSM Spotlights 2026 Concerto Winner
Owen from Algona, Iowa
For decades, one LSM student has been selected each summer to perform a concerto movement as a soloist with the LSM Festival Orchestra.
The selection process includes three rounds of approval and auditions that are overseen by a panel of LSM faculty artists. Students first receive approval on their concerto repertoire to ensure score availability and fit with the LSM Festival Orchestra. Then, students submit video auditions with a collaborative pianist. Finalists are selected to perform their concerto movement — memorized — in a public recital on campus during the first week of the LSM academy. From there, one student is selected to perform during the final orchestra concert as the featured soloist.
While the LSM academy and community is known for prioritizing collaboration over competition, this time-honored annual tradition celebrates the musical excellence of our students and elevates the pursuit and performance of classical music artforms.
Student Owen from Algona, Iowa, was selected from five finalists to be the LSM 2026 soloist, performing the first movement of the Mozart Oboe Concerto in C Major.
During the month at LSM, Owen made many connections with his fellow double reed students and woodwind faculty members.
“Owen was an absolute joy to work with,” said oboe faculty instructor Prof. Austin Smith. “He has such natural musical instincts, and a burning desire to be the best musician he can possibly be. Playing a small part in guiding him on his musical journey during our four short weeks together was a true pleasure.”
LSM Festival Orchestra Director Dr. Chung Park also shared how inspired he was by Owen.
“Owen is a remarkable young man and musician,” Park said. “Coming from rural Iowa, Owen is mostly self-trained, using books and YouTube videos to help him achieve his goals and dreams. It is nearly impossible to explain the degree of difficulty of this endeavor. As the oboe is widely considered the most difficult of all orchestral instruments, Owen's achievements are nothing short of astonishing. I have rarely encountered a young musician with a dedication to his craft that is this sincere and unvarnished. He is an inspiration to me and to everyone who encounters him.”
We asked Owen to reflect on his experience as an LSM student and the LSM 2026 concerto finalist.
Owen and collaborative pianist My Tran perform during the June 26, 2026 Student Concerto Recital
What was your musical journey before coming to LSM?
I started the oboe when I was in 7th grade. When no one else wanted to play it, I thought it sounded fun. My passion is the oboe. I'm always practicing, and if I'm not doing that I'm listening to podcasts, reading books, and try to further my understanding of the most effective and efficient practice methods I can use. I also have self taught myself how to make oboe reeds, and have a big passion for that too. I felt very proud of how far I have come as a player without a private instructor, but I used summer camps like Dorian at Luther College as a way to get private lessons. Once I saw that I could get a full month of instruction at LSM, I was hooked. To come to LSM, I was funded by two anonymous donors from my home church.
What was your experience like with preparing and performing in the concerto auditions?
To prepare for an audition, you need to practice how you want to perform it. I try to breathe, act, and do everything when I practice exactly like when I want to perform. I try to enjoy the process, but it inevitably ends up adding a lot of stress. Every time you play under pressure, it's an opportunity to become better for the next one. It's always an opportunity to grow.
How did you feel once you learned you were chosen as the concerto winner?
I was surprised to be chosen as the winner. I thought there were several players who were way better than what I had left out there. I'm of course thankful, but I was surprised.
What did you learn from your time at LSM 2026?
My favorite memory from LSM is the conducting elective class: taking in new skills and learning new ways to approach music and life. Dr. Chung Park is clearly a great teacher, and I was very blessed to have him as a teacher.
What was your experience like rehearsing and performing with the LSM Festival Orchestra?
Dr. Chung Park was more than amazing to work with. He is a musician who deeply understands the music and is always looking for new ways to grow. I felt that he knew music the way I wanted to, and I learned everything I could from him. The orchestra was very supportive and fun to learn with. I had never done anything like this before, and they showed me grace. They adjusted quickly and practiced when they needed to. I was very thankful for their work. Performances are always tricky; they are the true accumulation and test of a musician's preparation. They reveal all mistakes or weaknesses and give an accurate representation of how much effort was put into a piece. I felt proud of the amount of work that I put into every detail. There's always something to tweak or improve, but as a whole, I felt proud. I was proud to share my ideas and try to tell the audience a story. I was proud to stand up there and say, “This is where I'm at. Think how far I'll go.”
We wish Owen well and hope to see him again at LSM 2027!
Watch Owen’s concerto performance with the LSM 2026 Festival Orchestra: