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About The Competition:

   This competition was created to bring attention to one of the most important genres of music, American Spirituals. Since their humble "folk" beginnings in the 18th Century, this glorious music has evolved into American classical music as indigenous art songs, while still being the catalyst for many American sacred and secular music forms.

Competition Locations:

1st Competition--2009, at Buffalo State College, N.Y.

2nd Competition--2010, at Salisbury State University, Md.

3rd Competition--2012, at Lake Erie College, OH.

4th Competition--2014, at West Virginia University, WV.

5th Competition-- 2018, at Indiana University South Bend

First Prizes:

*Soloing with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra [performed in 2010]

*Lead role in the new American opera,

"HIGHWAY TO CANAAN"

[performed in 2011 and 2012]

*Soloing with The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra

[performed in 2013]

*Guest soloist on the special lecture series about spirituals at the Chautauqua (NY) Arts Center

[performed in June, 2015]

* Recital at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, January 21st, 2019

Schools Which Have Participated:

University of Illinois

University of Michigan

Arizona State University

Buffalo State College

West Virginia University

Bowling Green State University-OH.

Howard University

Kentucky State University

Indiana University-South Bend

SUNY/Potsdam-Crane School of Music

Eastman School of Music

University of Delaware

Ohio University

Westminster Choir College of Rider University

Miami University of Ohio

New England Conservatory of Music

Wayne State University-Mich.

Salisbury State University-Md.

University of Notre Dame

Indiana University, Bloomington

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