Four Grayson College guitar students won second place in the college division-large ensemble category at the Hill Country Classical Guitar Ensemble Festival and Competition in April. The competition was held at Texas State University in San Marcos.

The GC ensemble included Bonham freshman Jennifer Martz and three sophomores: Misty Hebert of Whitewright, Seve Mexia of Sherman, and Douglas Vanner Carr of Denison. Hebert and Mexia have been members of the ensemble for four semesters; Carr is in his third semester with the group, and Martz is in her first.

During competition, the ensembles performed 12-15 minutes for a panel of judges. The Grayson College ensemble performed three works: Sonata Op. 1 No. 12 La Folia by Antonio Vivaldi; Divertimento No. 3, Minuet -Trio by Joseph Haydn; El Gato Montes by Manuel Penella. Hebert also performed a solo piece in a Master class for guitarist Kirk Hanser of the Hanser-McClellan Guitar Duo, one of the concert’s featured artists.

“The event is a chance to showcase the Grayson College Music Department's training, talent and quality of instruction to cultivate students’ musicianship,” said Dr. David Tercero, GC’s adjunct professor of music (guitar) and director of the ensemble. “For students, competition is a great opportunity to practice stage presence, add to their performance experience, and look for opportunities to continue their music education at the university level.”