Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host the annual Virginia Queen Piano Competition Friday, May 2, at 3:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall in Mabee Fine Arts Center. The competition performances are free and open to the public.

“The competition was established by Virginia Queen 37 years ago to motivate our piano majors and minors to excel,” said Ouida Keck, coordinator of keyboard studies and Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music. “It gives them the motivation to excel, exposes them to professional standards and gives them a chance to develop self-confidence and stage presence.”

Each student will perform two compositions of contrasting style, with a total performance time of no more than 10 minutes each.

The first-place winner will receive $500 and their name will be engraved on a plaque displayed in the Mabee Fine Arts Center music library. Second place will receive $350, and third place will receive $150.

Students who will participate in the competition include: Rusty Butler, a senior worship arts major from Little Rock, Ark.; TJ Bailey, a senior worship arts major from Fort Smith, Ark.; Katie Butts, a sophomore computer science major from Piqua, Ohio; Jordan Denniston, a senior music major from Plano, Texas; Caroline Dunlap, a freshman piano performance major from Little Rock, Ark.;  Joanna Horton, a freshman music major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Sean Jackson, a junior music composition major from Livingston, La.; Lauren Johnson, a sophomore church music major from Little Rock, Ark.; Courtney Stanage, a junior piano performance major from Hot Springs Village, Ark.; and Emily Tucker, a senior music major from Hot Springs, Ark.

For more information, contact Dr. Ouida Keck at [email protected] or (870) 245-5352.

By Jessica Stewart