Crescendo Music Awards Competition is March 17–19
AWARD WINNERS: From left are former Crescendo winner Cälin Clark, Rotarian Joseph A. Bias and former Crescendo winner Amy Cottingham. A total of $27,000 will be awarded March 19 when 12 students compete on stage at the Union Performing Arts Center for a share of the Crescendo Music Awards.
Courtesy LIN KELLY
In 1998, Rotarian Joseph A. Bias had an inspired idea, and in the spring of 1999, with a budget of $1,500, the Rotary Club of Tulsa founded the Crescendo Music Awards. Eleven high school and college students auditioned for a jury of six Rotarians. Three were called back to perform for the entire club and cash prizes were awarded.
By the end of its sixth season, in the spring of 2004, nearly 270 students had auditioned and more than $71,000 had been awarded as cash prizes to 53 extremely talented young musicians.
Another $27,000 will be awarded in March 2005 with about 150 applications being submitted. A Finals Competition and Public Concert on March 19 will follow two days of preliminary auditions on March 17 and 18, where 12 students will be competing on the Union Performing Arts stage for a share of the purse.
Tickets are now on sale for this event, either through the Rotary Club of Tulsa office, 584-7642, or by contacting Competition Co-Chair Cory Nickerson at 743-6231.
Country music legend Roy Clark, who in earlier years began studies as a classical musician, has accepted Rotary’s request to be a national spokesman for the competition.
The Crescendo Music Endowment Fund currently stands at $74,000. For more information, contact the Rotary Club of Tulsa at 584-7642, or the competition co-chair, Cory Nickerson, at 918/743-6231 or osfocory@aol.com.
Updated 02-25-2005
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