2007 Sinquefield Composition Prize

Creating Original Music Project supports young composers

The winner of the 2007 Sinquefield Composition Prize awarded through the Creating Original Music Project (COMP) has been announced by Stefan Freund, assistant professor of composition and music theory in the School of Music. Katie Andres, a University of Missouri-Columbia senior, was selected for her piece, Moodswings for Woodwind Quintet.
[listen to Moodswings.]

"I've always been impressed by Katie's superior musicianship and her seemingly limitless creativity," said Freund, who also served as project director for this year's competition. "Both of these qualities were displayed in her winning score, which demonstrated a complete understanding of writing for a woodwind quintet."

Andres, who is from Boone Terre, Mo., is pursuing a degree in horn performance and a minor in German. She is a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Philharmonic and the MU Horn Choir. She has performed as a soloist in numerous public recitals, workshops and competitions, including the International Horn Competition and the Missouri Horn Day solo competition. During the 2005-06 school year, Andres competed in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Brass competition, where she won both the state and divisional levels and was named a national finalist.

"I never could have won the Sinquefield Prize without the support of my teacher and mentor Dr. Marcia Spence," Andres said. "Throughout my undergraduate career she has taught me true musicianship and encouraged me to be confident in my abilities. I am also indebted to Dr. Freund, who encouraged me to enter this competition."

Andres will compose a piece to be performed by an MU large ensemble at the Chancellor's Concert on March 14. She, along with the four other finalists – Alex Blanton, Ryan Hampton, Mark Woodward and Robert Trussell – will have their works performed at the COMP New Music Festival on April 14, 2007 .

Blanton, a first-year MU graduate student from Jeffersonville, Ind., is pursuing a master's degree in music. He is a member of the University Philharmonic, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University trumpet ensemble. He was named a finalist for his piece Two Movements for String Orchestra.

Hampton, a second-year MU graduate student from Liberty, Mo., is pursuing a master's degree in composition and choral conducting. He was named a finalist for his piece Brass Quintet No. 1.

Woodward, a second-year MU graduate student from Independence, Mo., is pursing a master's degree in composition. His music has been performed throughout the Midwest, at Yale University and the University of Boston. He was named a finalist for his piece Dances for String Orchestra.

Trussell, a senior from Grandview, Mo., is pursuing a degree in bassoon performance. He is a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Philharmonic, Ninth Street Orchestra and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He was named a finalist for his piece Quintet for Clarinet and Strings.

The Sinquefield Composition Prize provides students the opportunity to write original works to be performed by MU's premiere large ensembles. The contest is open to any MU undergraduate or graduate student and is judged by composers from outside the MU School of Music. The winning student is awarded a scholarship and cash prize.

COMP also provides Missouri kindergarten through 12th grade students the opportunity to write original compositions in a variety of musical styles. The project is funded by an annual gift of $50,000 from the Sinquefield Family Foundation. Participants may enter one of three levels of competition, elementary (kindergarten through fifth grade), middle (grades six through eight) or high school (grades nine through 12). The deadline for submissions to the 2007 kindergarten through 12th grade COMP competition was January 5, 2007.

Links:

School of Music
Creating Original Music Project