In 2024, SCO expanded its Concerto Competition nationwide via video submissions. We received a wide field of applications for our adult category from all over the country ranging from different instruments to vocalists, and making for a long day of judging! Unfortunately, we have no youth category winner this year.
Our 2024 adult category winner is Lance Gaupp, double bass, for his performance of Serge Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto, Op. 3, Movements I & II.
Lance will perform all three movements of his winning selection during our Fall Concert at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
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Lance Gaupp, currently based in Chicago, Illinois, is a double bassist of exceptional merit. Despite starting lessons relatively late at 16 years old in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lance’s unwavering commitment to music has propelled him swiftly in his development. Noteworthy aspects of Lance’s playing include his meticulous attention to the nuances of musical phrases, focusing on their colors and shapes, as well as his skill in weaving these phrases together to convey deep human emotions.
Recently, Lance graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in music performance and psychology. During his studies, he had the privilege of being mentored by acclaimed instructors Andy Raciti and Ian Hallas. While at Northwestern, he received multiple awards for his academic and musical accolades, including dean’s list and 3rd place in the Louisiana Bass Fest International Orchestra Competition. Lance rehearsed and performed regularly with various ensembles at NU including the Northwestern Symphony, Baroque Ensemble, and the Contemporary Ensemble. In the summers of his undergraduate degree, Lance was awarded fellowships to attend the Mostly Modern Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, and Orford Music Festival. Through experiences like the festivals mentioned, Lance has worked under the batons of renowned conductors such as Michael Francis, Jung-Ho Pak, Guillermo Figueroa, JoAnn Falletta, Peter Bay, Victor Yampolsky, and others. Additionally, Lance has been mentored by and worked with esteemed bassists and pedagogues including Joel Quarrington, Robin Kesellmen, Yung-Chiao Wei, Larry Hurst, and Eric Larson.
Around the Chicago area and his hometown of Baton Rouge, Lance has worked as a contract musician for organizations such as the Chicago Fringe Opera and Manship Theatre to play as a pit member in multiple operas and musicals. Additionally, during his time as principal bassist of the Louisiana Youth Orchestra, Lance became the second bassist in history to win the Louisiana Youth Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and solo the Dragonetti Concerto with the orchestra.
Along with his musical endeavors, Lance works as a private double bass instructor and research aide in a psychology lab and has worked in various labs on campus during his time at Northwestern.
Recently, Lance was accepted to Indiana University to pursue a Master of Music under the mentorship of Kurt Muroki and Jeff Turner. He is thrilled to begin the next phase of musical education and career, and he aspires to one day work in a professional orchestra.