July 1, 2003

Contact: Becca Ramspott, School of Fine Arts, (785) 864-5567.

Summer program brings talented young pianists to KU

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Department of Music and Dance will host the International Institute for Young Musicians July 7 through 25 in Lawrence.

The IIYM Summer Music Academy, under the direction of KU alumnus Scott McBride Smith, is a course of intensive study for young pianists. Students who participate often go on to receive prizes in the most prestigious competitions in the world, including the Van Cliburn, the Chopin, the Gina Bachauer and the Music Teachers National Association.

Smith, who received his master's degree in music from KU in 1976, has selected 40 pianists through competitive auditions in the United States and around the world to come to Lawrence for the intensive three-week program of study and performance. These young artists, ages 13 through 19, will work with KU faculty and visiting faculty from the Juilliard School in New York City; Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.; the University of Colorado in Boulder; the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in Ohio; and the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts College. The pianists will take master classes, studio classes and courses in sight reading, music theory, accompanying, opera and careers in music.

While in Lawrence, participants will present two free public concerts at the Lied Center. They will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12, and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. The repertoire will include standard piano works from Bach to contemporary composers.

For additional information about the institute and upcoming performances, please contact Jack Winerock, KU coordinator of the program, at (785) 864-9644 or at winerock@ku.edu.