More than 100 Texas students with ages ranging from elementary to high school participated in the 16th annual David Karp Piano Festival competition last Saturday at Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore College campus. Karp, music professor at Southern Methodist University, was on hand adjudicating the event.
Contestants performed piano solos written by Karp in preliminary judging. Karp then selected outstanding students from each division who performed in a "Winner's Recital" and awarded trophies to the top three students from each of four divisions.
Sandra Siler, KC piano instructor, said she began the festival in 1993 to honor Karp as her teacher and mentor. The festival has been held each spring at KC since 1993.
"Dr. Karp has made such an invaluable impression on my musical career," Siler said. "I felt that I must try to give him back something in return. What better gift than that of hearing your very own published compositions performed by hundreds of students throughout Texas?"
A nationally known pianist, composer and educator, Karp holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Colorado. He has also completed graduate work at Teachers College--Columbia University. Karp is currently a professor of music at SMU's Meadows School of the Arts and director of the National Piano Teachers' Institute.
According to the SMU Web site, Karp "has performed, lectured and conducted workshops and seminars at many colleges and universities from Alaska to New Hampshire--and as far away as Taiwan."
Karp said that he appreciates the festival and that attending the recital is always one of the highlights of his year.
The KC Music Department offers several piano scholarships each year. For more information on the scholarships, contact Siler at (903) 983-8120.
Winners of the competition follow, listed by division:
Division I
First place - Katie Cloud, Grand Saline
Second place - Ryken DeGroat, Tyler
Third place - Catherine Rodgers, Tyler
Division II
First place - Bethany Cox, Grand Saline
Second place - Lily Cool, Tyler
Third place - John McConnell, Kilgore
Adrian Guerrero, Pittsburg (tie)
Division III
First place - Kristine Uy-oco, Henderson
Second place - Elissa Thompson, Tyler
Third place - Brett Thompson, Tyler
Division IV - Duet Division
First place - Nick Siler and William Mann, Henderson
Second place - Reid Stone and Mahlon Acres, Overton and Henderson
Third place - Rebecca Faulkner and Brett Thompson, Tyler
Division I winners: Katie Cloud, Dr. David Karp, Ryken DeGroat and Catherine Rodgers
Division II winners: Lily Cool and Bethany Cox. (Second row) John McConnell, Dr. David Karp and Adrian Guerrero.
Division III winners:Kristine Uy-oco, Elissa Thompson and Brett Thompson. (Second row) Dr. David Karp.
Division IV winners: Rebecca Faulkner, Dr. David Karp and Brett Thompson. (Second row) Nick Siler, William Mann, Reid Stone and Mahlon Acres
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