Piano student Devon Packer won first-prize with his interpretation of Olivier Messiaen’s “Vingt regards sur l’enfant-Jésus” at the College’s 43rd annual Prix d’expression musicale last week.
Jazz voice student Lucie Soussana earned second place with her performance of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “Burn”, from the musical Hamilton, with Vivian Sun accompanying her on the piano.
The Prix is a judged competition for students in the music program, with first place receiving a cash prize and a spot in Cégeps en concert, the provincial final competition for all cegep music programs.
Winners of previous editions of the Prix d’expression musicale have gone on to sing at La Scala, Milan, play in the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and enjoy international careers as soloists.
Other contestants in this year’s Prix included classical guitar student Peize Liu performing pieces by Leo Brouwer and Francisco Tarrega, piano student Letao Sun presenting Nikolai Kapustin’s “Eight Concert Etudes Op. 40” and flute student Anne-Sophie Ernst-Tabaka with Philip Gaubert’s “Nocturne et allegro scherzando,” accompanied by Oksana Zotova.
The student performances drew high praise from adjudicator Yotam Baum, a Marianopolis Music program graduate who is now a music professor at Bishop’s University and a Juno-nominated producer.
Devon Packer will go on to represent Marianopolis at this year’s edition of Cégeps en concert on April 16.
Upcoming Recitals & Concerts
Spring Recital, Wednesday, April 5, Marianopolis Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
Spring Recital, Wednesday, April 26, Marianopolis Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
ArtsFest Concert, Wednesday, May 3 Marianopolis Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.