Holly Gaines, a Wilson High School senior who is also enrolled at East Central University as a student of flute instructor Juliana Overmier, has won four music competitions in two weeks.
She received an Outstanding High School Soloist award at the Oklahoma Flute Society's Solo and Ensemble Festival on Feb. 6 at the University of Central Oklahoma. The next day, she competed in and won the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band Young Artist Competition, and the following weekend she won both the Woodwind Division and the Carver Competition in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's Music Olympics.
Overmier said Gaines has earned distinction as the highest ranking high school-aged flutist in Oklahoma for the past three years at both the Small Schools' Allstate Band Competitions and the Oklahoma Music Educators' Association (All-OMEA) Allstate Band Competitions.
She was one of only a select few students chosen to attend the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain where she studied orchestral literature and chamber music. She was also chosen by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic to perform in its Side-By-Side Concert where she shared a stand with principal flutist Dr. Valerie Watts.
Academically, Gaines is valedictorian of her graduating class. She has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and when she graduates she already will have completed 30 hours of college credit. She is a member of both the Oklahoma Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She is also academic team captain and a member of the Beta club, a community service organization.
In addition to receiving cash prizes, Gaines is scheduled to perform on the Music Olympics Winners Concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday [FEB. 21] in Petree Recital Hall at Oklahoma City University, as well as with the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band at 7:30 p.m. April 29 at Putnam City High School.
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