Jennifer Swanson, Trevor Pittman, Tomi XheliliJudge Jennifer Swanson congratulates instructor Trevor Pittman and Tomi Xhelili, winner of the 2020 Ianni scholarship competition.

Clarinetist credits instructor for scholarship win

Tomi Xhelili was quick to share the credit for his victory in the competition for the Ron W. Ianni Memorial Scholarship in Performance, Friday in the SoCA Armouries.

“I share this award with my instructor Trevor Pittman,” said Xhelili, a clarinetist. “I couldn’t have done it without his coaching and guidance.”

Xhelili beat out eight other music students for the $500 prize, established by Mina Grossman-Ianni and the School of Music in 2005 to honour the late president of the University of Windsor: marimbist Ethyn Janssen, classical guitarist Mackenzie Beltran, classical pianist Yu-Jin Kwon, euphonium player Savanna Muscat, soprano Jael Hernandez, pop vocalist Madeline Doornaert, and jazz bassist Alex Aideira-Leite.

The students were invited to take part based on their outstanding grades in the December performance juries.

Xhelili performed the “Allegro” movement from the Clarinet Concerto No. 2 by composer Carl Maria Von Weber. He will play all three movements of this concerto with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 1, in Assumption Hall’s Heritage Auditorium. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Find more details and ticket info on the event website.