Life > February 15, 2007

By Elizabeth Fu

Staff writer

Feb. 24 marks an important date for several music students on campus.

These students spend all year in preparation for the Lucille S. Harris and Christopher Giles Competitions in Musical Performance which happens every spring.

Annually, a number of full-time undergraduates studying applied music or piano take part in the competition. There are two competitions for the event: the open competition and piano competition.

The open competition is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 24 in Brendle Recital Hall.

Director of the competition, Kathryn Levy, encourages students to attend the competition and show support for their fellow university students.

“The students who are involved have probably worked harder on these performances than anything else this year,” Levy said.

“This will be some of the best work to come out of the music department this year.”

The theme for this year’s open competition is “Music from 1901 to the Present.”

Twenty-six students will compete. A cash award of $500 will be given for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place and $200 for fourth place.

During the open competition, performers will showcase their talents in alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, harp, horn, voice, violin and tenor saxophone.

After the open competition, the piano competition will begin at 7 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall.

Five students compete for the first place prize of $500, the second prize of $300 and the Ward Virts Prize for Pianistic Expressiveness of $500.

The pianists will perform music by J. S. Bach or Brahms plus a piece of the performer’s choice.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Lucille S. Harris and Christopher Giles Competitions. A special program listing of all former winners will commemorate the milestone. 

In 1977, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sinal of Winston-Salem suggested a competition for the university’s undergraduate music students.

With the help of faculty members Lucille Harris and the late Christopher Giles, the competition was realized.

Harris and Sinal, the principal donor, still attend the competition every year.

Now, the event has become very competitive and students and music enthusiasts alike look forward to spring for the annual competition.

With gifted talent and strong competition, the 30th annual Lucille S. Harris and Christopher Giles Competitions in Musical Performance is sure to please.

There is no admissions fee to attend the event and the music department welcomes the public to come out and support the performers.