Piano Festival held at SU

Hundreds of students from across the country will converge on the campus of Southern University to exhibit their artistic abilities, compete for prestigious titles and seize the opportunity to learn from some of the most talented artists on the classical music circuit at the 27th Annual DeBose National Piano Competition-Festival.
“The purpose of the competition is to nurture the artistic developmental growth of student pianist, teachers, professional artists, and persons who are interested in the arts,” said Myrtle E. David, professor of music in piano and director of the Tourgee DeBose National Piano Competition Foundation, Incorporated.
Three students from the university’s music department will participate in this year’s competition: ShaunAnthony Williams, a senior music performance major from Aurora, Ill., Lydell B. Banks, a sophomore music education major from Morrero, and LaDonna Turnipseed, a junior music performance major from Baton Rouge.
All three of these students accredit hard work and years of dedication and practice to reach this pivotal point in their musical careers.
Playing Rhapsody in G Minor by Johannes Brahms and Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 22 Number1, Turnipseed stated that she practiced for a year to prepare herself for the competition.
Banks is vying to win his second competition this year. Last year he placed first in the College freshman division.
“There is a lot more pressure on me this year but I am taking everything in stride,” said Banks. “I plan on enjoying the festival more this year.
The competition’s theme, “The Ties That Bind: The Year of the Faculty” was selected to symbolize the artistic challenges pursued by annual participants, dedicated to excellence in classical music performance.
“The DeBose Festival provides for diversity in musical talent, by maintaining numerous creative opportunities for average, accelerated, and non competing musicians,” said David.
The 2002 Competition-Festival will feature two concert pianists, SU alumnus Dr. Roosevelt Newson and former DeBose Artist Leon Bates.
Newson, dean of the School of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, will return to his alma mater to perform “A Reunion Romance” at the Debose Artist Recital on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m.
Newson made his professional debut at Wigmore Hall in London. Highlights of his career include performances at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Dilgentia Hall in the Hague, premier of Talib Hakim’s A Piano Piece at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Town Hall in New York.
” The master classes are an opportunity for young artists to learn the nuts and bolts that are important to improve the quality of their technique,” said Bates.
Bates will also conduct a master class for college and young artists. He will present “Ellington Elegance,” at the DeBose Artist Recital.
Bates composed the arrangement to celebrate the Ellington’s legacy as a classical musician whose creative ingenuity has spanned around the world and withstood the test of time.
A native of Philadelphia, Bates emerged as one of America’s leading pianist. He has performed at major music festivals including Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. He has also performed abroad with the Vienna Symphony, Sinfonica dell’di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Strasbourg Symphony in France and the Olympic Stadium Music Festival in Room.
The public is invited to attend all events including the Teachers Studio Honors Showcase Saturday April 6 at 5 p.m. and the DeBose Awards Recital Ceremony at 7 p.m. The attire is formal for all events. For more information call (225) 387-5932.