The UNO School of Music hosted the 2nd Annual Double Reed Competition on April 29th, 2018. Dennis & Peggy Michel were the guest artists & judges for the competition -both serve as artist faculty at the Chicago Conservatory of the Performing Arts (Roosevelt University). Mr. Michel is the 2nd bassoonist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Mrs. Michel is 2nd oboist with Music of the Baroque.

The event garnered sponsorship from across the country, with participants from the greater metro area. Former student of the event coordinator and artist faculty, Darci Griffith Gamerl, oboist Andrea Smith (UNO alumn), won the college division. In the high school division, oboist Avery McKennen of Fort Calhoun garnered the 1st prize, and 2nd went to oboist Elora Haggerty of LaVista, NE (student of Andrea Smith). Congratulations to all of the participants!