Austin Ford (BM ’21) has been named one of six international finalists of the 2021 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition sponsored by the International Trumpet Guild and the Herb Alpert Foundation. This event is one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for jazz trumpeters. He will compete live at the Lamont School of Music in October for the $10,000 first place prize.
Jacob Nydegger (MM ’20, BM ’17) was awarded second prize in the 2021 William Knabe International Piano Competition (Concerto Division). William Knabe Piano Institute. Nydegger earlier this year was awarded 1st Prize in the Senior category of the 2021 Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, and as part of his award will perform in the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall in London during the 21-22 season. He has in the past year also won awards in the Ann and Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition and the 2021 Music International Grand Prix Competition.
From 2017. Professor Allen Hightower conducts the UNT A Cappella Choir performing Holy Radiant Light from Slavonic Ecclesiastical Songs, Opus 23 (c.1901) by Alexandre Gretchaninoff (1864-1956).
D.J. Rice (BM ’20 and MM student in jazz composition) is the Grand Prize recipient of the USA Music Composition International Competition by IYMC for his composition, Song for Renel. There were 102 entries from 35 countries. Receiving the grand prize reflects the judges perfect score of 100. DJ, trombone; Will Nathman, saxophone; Henry Dickhoff, piano and John Sturino, Drumset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqc1q1i_B-Y
University of North Texas alumna Allison Ponthier’s ‘Hell Is A Crowded Room' reviewed by Ann Powers for National Public Radio.
Professor of Composition, Jon Christopher Nelson, was awarded the International Computer Music Conference 2021 Music Award for his composition, When Left to His Own Devices. The award recognizes the work as the best among the more than 400 global submissions.
At the Texas Choral Directors Association conference, eight University of North Texas students/alumni were awarded academic scholarships - Kimberley Ahrens, Francis Cathlina (DMA ’21), Skylar DuBose, Hasoo Eun, Jessica Hausmann, Celli RaMatheny, William Swinney and Sheridan White.
From 2018. Professor David Itkin conducts the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra performing Symphony fantastique, Opus 14 (1830) by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3PyCipyl2o
Lisa Despain - Composer (BM ’91) one of the winners of the biennial Zepick Modern Opera Competition, along with librettist Rachel J. Peters, premiered their latest collaboration, Staggerwing, at Opera Kansas on July 30 at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Visit Wichita. A female-led world premiere, Staggerwing brings to life the historical and dangerous flight of aviatrixes Louis Thaden and Blanche Noyes as they compete for and win the transcontinental 1936 Bendix Trophy Race.
Regents Professor of Piano, Pamela Mia Paul, has been selected for The Cliburn Amateur Competition Jury for 2022. She also served as a member of the screening jury of the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
