On April 27, Katie Sigwarth performed her senior recital at the Center for the Arts. About 60 family members, friends and students attended the violin recital. With help from other student musicians and friends, Sigwarth performed several pieces of music.

Photograph by Jodi Krautkramer


About 60 people filled the CFA April 27 to watch Katie Sigwarth perform her senior recital. Sigwarth began playing the violin about 17 years ago. Sigwarth selected the pieces of music she played after intermission.

The concert showcased the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Fritz Kreisler and Luigi Boccherini. Accompanied by student pianist Emily Neal, Sigwarth performed most of the music with only a piano and flower vase on the stage.

“For Katie, everything on stage reflected her personality,” said Emily Neal, junior general and choral education major. “Katie was very well prepared, so when we sat down to put it together, it was easy.”

Guided by her instructor Paul Brenner, Sigwarth selected the first half of the concert music to meet the music requirements. The music after intermission was selected by Sigwarth alone.

“I wanted to do music that would be fun for the audience,” said Sigwarth. “Lover’s Waltz by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason is one of my favorites as is the Boccherini Quintet. Fiddle music is always fun to hear and play.”

During the Luigi Boccherini piece La Musica Notturna di Madrid, four students accompanied Sigwarth on stage. Those musicians included Nathan Manwiller, Hannah Caylor, Brice Lory and Alex Hummel.

“My favorite part of the concert was when Sigwarth was accompanied by the piano,” said Tanya Kammes, sophomore biology major. “Sigwarth made playing the violin look easy.”

Sigwarth began playing the violin about 17 years ago. At times, she thought about quitting, but she always decided to keep playing.

“I was a very intense child, and my parents knew that I needed something to funnel that intensity into,” said Sigwarth. “So, they prayed and asked God to tell them what to do. God spoke to my mom that I needed a violin.”

Although Sigwarth has been a business administration major with an emphasis in computer information systems, she used to be a music major. Typically, non-music majors do not give recitals, but Sigwarth changed her major after deciding to do a recital. She is still contemplating a music minor or double major.

Sigwarth is hoping to graduate in two years. After graduation, Sigwarth would like to remain living in the Midwest and have a job in computers or doing computer work from home.

“I love the Midwest and the people that live here. I love the fact that people here care about each other.”

Outside of school, Katie Sigwarth enjoys teaching violin lessons to nine students and hopes to continue teaching the violin wherever she ends up.