Mississippi Valley State University News January 11, 2018 MVSU to host Twenty-Third Annual Piano Festival Mississippi Valley State University is inviting piano students of all levels to its campus for a day of recitals, award presentations, and the chance to earn music scholarships during its Twenty-Third Annual MVSU Piano Festival Saturday, April 21. Organized by the Department of Fine Arts, the festival is designed to bring an increased awareness to the Mississippi Delta and surrounding areas of the value and importance of piano study throughout childhood and beyond. Events will be held for both elementary and advanced piano students. "Students benefit greatly from having performance opportunities during the course of their music studies, and events like our festival give them such an outlet, as well as the ability to receive constructive comments and feedback from qualified adjudicators," said MVSU Professor of Fine Arts and Music Dr. Lawrence Goldman, who serves as the festival director. Piano students ranging from kindergarten through junior high school will start at 9 a.m. with a non-competitive festival. Older beginners may also participate. Students will perform selections from the classical piano repertoire and will be rated and given written evaluations. Following this event will be an honors ceremony, which will include special recognition of students who received superior ratings for their performances. Parents, friends and fellow students will be invited to attend this event at approximately 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., members of MVSU's music faculty will hold an open audition for piano students who would like to be considered for music scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year. Students who are awarded full scholarships will receive tuition, fees, and room and board at MVSU. There will be a Young Artist Competition at 1 p.m. for students who are enrolled in grades ninth through junior college. Younger students with appropriate repertoire may also enter with the permission of the festival director. Students will perform at least two compositions from differing periods. The first prize winner will receive a cash award of $500, second prize winner will receive $400, third prize will receive $300 and the fourth prize winner will receive $200. Honorable Mention awards of $100 each will also be given at the discretion of the festival judge. An awards ceremony will be held immediately following the judging. Awards, certificates and the cash prizes will be given out during that time. In addition to the cash awards, all winners of the Young Artist Competition will be eligible to receive full music scholarships to MVSU. This year's festival is co-sponsored by Bank of Commerce, Charles Hall Studio, Cowan Music, Greenwood Matinee Musicale, Greenwood Rotary Club, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Planters Bank, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Walmart. For further information and an application, contact Goldman at (662) 254-3681 or by mail at 14000 Hwy. 82 West #7255, Itta Bena, MS, 38941. The application postmark deadline for participants is April 10. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/