Belhaven Music Major and violinist, Shellie Brown, won First Place in the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition, Collegiate Division. The freshman violinist played the "Poeme" Op.25 by Ernest Chausson at the February competition, which took place at Millsaps College. Brown was awarded a $600 cash prize along with the honor of first place among all competing collegiate violinists.
As a freshman, Brown has already shown leadership in her role as Concert Mistress for the Belhaven College and Jackson Community Symphony Orchestra. This position entails leading the violin section and being available to consult with the conductor before, during and after rehearsals. Dr. Stephen Sachs, chair of the Belhaven Music Department, states that, “Shellie’s diligence and hard work are already reaping rewards, as is evident by her top placement at the MSO competition. The music department is proud of her accomplishments, and we know that her fine workmanship will continue to impress her audience and glorify God.”