Music students recognized nationally and internationally

Four Desautels Faculty of Music students have won major awards this summer for their musical talents.

Miles Thomsen (B. Mus. trumpet), Nolan Powell (B. Mus. guitar), and first-year student Paul Williamson (B. Mus., piano) competed in the 44th Annual National Music Festival held in Kelowna at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus from August 14-16. All three students were awarded top prizes during the Festival Competition: Thomsen, first prize in the brass category; Powell, second prize in guitar; and Williamson, first prize in piano. Williamson is from British Columbia and has recently relocated to Winnipeg to study music at the U of M.

Classical student musicians ages 14 to 28, who have won their provincial categories, attend the annual National Music Festival hosted at a different location each year. In addition to the competition, students have the opportunity to attend workshops with some of Canada’s best performers and adjudicators.

Music student Gregory Lewis (B. Mus., violin) was awarded second prize at the International ENKOR Piano and Violin Competition. Lewis is from Thunder Bay beginning his second year at the Desautels Faculty of Music.

“In addition to our students excelling on the national stage, the Desautels Faculty of Music is an institution of first choice for Canada’s leading young musicians,” says Dr. Edmund Dawe, Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music.

View footage of Lewis’s performance below.

UM Today Staff