Hailee Colgrove, a music major at Bemidji State University, has been named one of the winners of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Echo Kowalzek Youth Concerto Competition.

Colgrove earned the prestigious recognition after standing out in a competitive pool of applicants from across central and northern Minnesota.

Her selection not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the strength of Bemidji State’s Vocal Department. As a winner, she will perform with the Heartland Symphony Orchestra in concerts held in both Little Falls and Brainerd, giving audiences the opportunity to experience her artistry live.

Heartland Symphony Orchestra, a regional ensemble with multiple Bemidji State alumni, is conducted by Ryan Webber, an adjunct instructor of music at BSU. Additionally, Dr. Miriam Webber, associate professor of music at Bemidji State, serves as the ensemble’s principal bassoonist.

The Echo Kowalzek Youth Concerto Competition provides young musicians with a platform to showcase their skills and gain valuable performance experience. Colgrove’s achievement adds to Bemidji State University’s reputation for fostering exceptional musical talent.

The Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s spring concerts will take place March 22 at 7:30 p.m. and March 23 at 2:30 p.m. The program will feature a selection of works, including Film Music (For an Exit) by Ian T. Jones, which draws inspiration from both the uncertainty of leaving a familiar place and the innovative, genre-bending music of the English rock band Radiohead.