Saxophone, pianists take top honors

Congratulations are in order for the UGA saxophone and keyboard studios!

Four students from the UGA saxophone studio took top prizes in the 2015 Southern Division of the Music Teachers National Association Competition.  The MILK Saxophone Quartet—comprised of students Gabriel Piqué (senior), Michael Turner (MM), Brandon Quarles (senior), and Shawna Pennock (DMA)—took first prize in the Chamber Music Wind category, with Piqué also taking first place in the Young Artist Woodwind division.

 “As a teacher, it's incredible to witness the coming together of four musicians who tirelessly seek to discover the deeper possibilities within themselves,” said Connie Frigo, professor of saxophone at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. “It’s also been a privilege to watch Gabe Piqué’s unabashed approach to international and national solo competitions unfold over the past two years—he has evolved into a serious musician who has earned his place in the national spotlight.”

The competition, held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, January 16-18, featured students from Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

“The Milk Quartet represents that perfect synergy of hard work, technical prowess, the desire to excel, and a magical interpersonal chemistry that makes their performances brilliant and compelling,” said Frigo. “I couldn't be happier for the opportunity they've earned to showcase their talents in a national competition. ”

The quartet and Piqué will compete in March at the MTNA national division, held in Las Vegas, NV.

Congratulations to Hodgson School pianists Hyorim Lee and Nicolo Sbuelz for their recent successes!

Lee (pictured above) performed in Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital on December 20, 2014.  The DMA student performed as a first prize winner of the 2014 American Protégé Concerto Competition.

Sbuelz, a Master's student, recently won a position as opera coach and accompanist for the 2015 Aspen Music Festival.

Lee is a student of Richard Zimdars, and Sbuelz a student of Kathryn Wright.