Ouachita Stories

Joanna Horton, a sophomore piano performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., won first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Virginia Queen Piano Competition on May 2.

“I was very surprised when they called my name,” Horton said. “It’s such an exciting honor, and I am thankful for the opportunity the competition gave me to perform my best for my community.”

Horton played “Nocturne Op. 27 No. 2 in D flat Major” by Frederic Chopin and “Toccata” from Trois Pieces by Francis Poulenc.

Horton received a $500 prize for her first place finish. Second place and a prize of $350 went to Courtney Stanage, a senior piano performance major from Hot Springs Village, Ark. Third place and a prize of $150 went to Jordan Denniston, a senior music major for Plano, Texas. Honorable mention and $50 prizes went to Rusty Butler, a worship arts major from Little Rock, Ark., and Caroline Dunlap, a freshman piano performance major from Little Rock, Ark.

The competition was established 37 years ago by former Ouachita faculty member Virginia Queen to give Ouachita’s piano students the opportunity to challenge themselves and each other.

“It gives them the motivation to excel, exposes them to professional standards and gives them a chance to develop self-confidence and stage presence,” said Ouida Keck, coordinator of keyboard studies and Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music.

Other students who competed in the competition were T.J. Bailey, a senior worship arts major from Fort Smith, Ark.; Katie Butts, a sophomore computer science major from Piqua, Ohio; Sean Jackson, a junior music composition major from Livingston, La.; Lauren Johnson, a sophomore church music major from Little Rock, 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