KU News Release

KU piano students win top prizes in Naftzger Young Artists competition

LAWRENCE — Students in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas were once again successful at the Naftzger Young Artists Auditions and Music Awards competition, held April 25-27 at Wichita State University.

James Cockman III, a doctoral student in piano from Pleasant Hill, Mo., won the grand prize of $5,000 with his performance of Stravinsky’s “Concerto for Piano and Winds,” accompanied by Jack Winerock, KU professor of piano. Cockman is the son of Dan and Sheila Cockman. He has a master’s degree from Central Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree from William Jewell College, Liberty Mo.

“The level of competition was very high this year, and I thank God my performance stood out,” said Cockman.

Kent Queener, a senior in piano from Troy, Idaho, won the piano prize of $2,500. Queener performed “Sonata H. XVI/32 in B Minor” by Haydn and “Etude op. 40, No. 1” by Nikolai Kapustin. Queener is the son of Gerry and Elaine Queener of Troy, Idaho, and is a Troy Junior/Senior High School graduate. Next fall, he will continue at KU to earn a master’s degree in piano.

Nicholas Susi, a senior in piano from St. Louis, Mo., was also a finalist in the piano competition. Susi is the son of Jesse and Janet Susi of St. Louis and is a graduate of Desmet Jesuit High School.

Musicians performed for judges on Friday, April 25, and three students from each division (voice, piano, instrumental) were chosen to perform in the finals on Saturday, April 27.

The Naftzger Young Artists Auditions and Music Awards competition is open to residents of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma or nonresidents who are enrolled in a college, university or conservatory in Kansas, Oklahoma or Missouri.
The annual competition, which awards $11,000 in cash prizes, is sponsored by the Naftzger Fund for the Arts and is administered by the Wichita Symphony Society Inc.

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