With numerous competition prizes, major scholarship wins and many concerts played, Nik Divall exits Oberlin with a bang.

Having split his time between his classical guitar major and his more recent fascination, playing theorbo as a continuo instrument, Nik waffled between pursuing follow-up studies on guitar or in early music. So, he applied to programs in both areas. In addition, he applied for a Fulbright Award to study lute and theorbo in Germany, with Joachim Held at HFK (University of the Arts) in Bremen. He WON the Fulbright, so had to tell Daniel Swenberg at Juilliard School of Music and Judicael Perroy at the Geneva University School of Music that their offers would have to be put on hold. Congratulations, Nik, on the Fulbright!!!

But before this program begins, Nik had many more successes worth reviewing this year. First, the competitions. Last Summer, he won 2nd Prize at the International Adelaide Classical Guitar Competition in Australia.

Nik on stage in the Adelaide Competition finals

He won 1st Prize in the Louisville Classical Guitar Competition Collegiate Division, and 3rd Prize in that competition’s Open Division, (Kentucky).

Nik with Stephen Mattingly, Director of the Louisville Guitar Competition, after winning two prizes there

He WON the Tuesday Musical Club Scholarship Competition, in Akron, OH.

Nik on Guzzetta Hall stage at the Tuesday Musical Club Competition

Nik with Jamie Wilding (left), Director of the Tuesday Musical Club Competition

Nik got 4th Prize at the Appalachian State Classical Guitar Competition in Boone, NC.

Nik in winner’s lineup in Boone, 4th from left, Director Adam Kossler, far left.

Finally, he won 2nd Prize and the special Brouwer Prize at the Connecticut Classical Guitar Competition.

He Won 1st Prize at the East Carolina University Classical Guitar Competition.

Nik, with classmate Suvan Agarwal, first and second-prize winners respectively at ECU.

During the course of all this competing on the guitar, Nik was also busy playing the theorbo. He made his usual appearances with the Oberlin Baroque Orchestra and Historical Performance chamber music concerts, as well as playing theorbo for Guitar Ensemble, racking up smaller works by Purcell, Biber, Castello, Corelli, Marais and Marini and majors works such as Monteverdi’s Orfeo, Buxtehude’s Jesu Membra Nostri and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6. In addition, he performed as a special guest artist with four professional ensembles: two in Chicago —The Beethoven-Bach Experience and Twisted Pearl— and two in Cleveland —The Schola Cantorum Lorain led by Mark Edwards and in Orpheus Before Gluck, directed by Stephen Stubbs and Julie Andrijeski at Case Western Reserve University.

Nik playing continuo along with Juilliard lute professor Dan Swenberg, in Monteverdi’s Orfeo

Nik plays Bach with ensemble in Finney Chapel

Nik with mixed ensemble on stage in Fairchild Chapel

While running around with the theorbo and between guitar competitions, he played lots of recitals and guest appearances, including a full solo program at a church in Oberlin;

Nik performing at Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin, 10/22/23

his Senior Recital, of course; a shared program with classmate Suvan Agarwal at Commencement, where he played a solo suite on the theorbo—

and another shared outing with Suvan, at my wife’s middle school, where the kids oohed and aahed his theorbo.

Nik was involved in two world premiere performances, one of a guitar duet by Aaron Nichols, and the other, a work for soprano and guitar called A Little Requiem by Cashel Day-Lewis (yes, the actor’s son).

To top it off, Nik was offered a post on the Continuo Team, helping and accompanying students this summer at the storied early music festival Tafelmusik, in Toronto, where he’ll be in residence for two weeks in June.

He also plans to attend Aspen Music Festival & School and other guitar events this summer, before moving to Germany to start his Fulbright studies.

Nik with his family after his Commencement concert

Nik had one of the most productive undergraduate careers in recent memory. His unflagging energy, talent and enthusiasm have served him well. I look forward to hearing all about what comes next.

Congratulations, Nik, on a remarkable senior year and a hugely successful time in Oberlin. You’ll be missed!