KU News Release

KU piano student wins scholarship; piano alumnus to compose piece for Greensburg

LAWRENCE — A music student and music alumnus from the University of Kansas have won national Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarships.

Nick Susi, an undergraduate student studying piano and president of KU’s Xi chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, won the Eleanor B. Weiler and Mildred B. Frame Piano Scholarship to study piano in France. The award totals $6,000. Susi will travel to France for a month-long study with Carine Gutlerner, pianist and professor at the Erik Satie Conservatory.

“While in France, I will work on Debussy’s ‘Preludes Book I.’ My work will culminate with a performance of these and other works at the Cité Universitaire de Paris,” said Susi.

Michael Kirkendoll, who earned a doctor of musical arts degree from KU in 2008, won the $1,000 Helen Haupt Piano Scholarship. Kirkendoll will use the scholarship to assist in commissioning a new work for solo piano. The work will be part of a DuoSolo program titled “Music for Greensburg,” to be presented multiple times in 2010. DuoSolo is Kirkendoll’s duo with wife, Mary Kirkendoll, who also earned a doctor of musical arts from KU in 2008. She plays flute.

The small town of Greenburg, Kan., was devastated by a tornado in May 2007.

“These concerts will feature music dealing with nature, rebirth, life and death and other themes related to both the devastation and ongoing rebuilding process in Greensburg, Kan,” he said. “Proceeds from the concerts will go back into the Greensburg community.”

Susi studies with Jack Winerock, professor of piano. Kirkendoll also studied with Winerock when he was pursuing his doctorate at KU.

Mu Phi Epsilon is a professional music fraternity founded by Winthrop S. Sterling and Elizabeth Mathias Fuqua in 1903 at the Metropolitan College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization is comprised of collegiate chapters, alumni chapters and allied members.

Hometown information for the scholarship recipients is listed below.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002 and Lawrence
Michael Kirkendoll received a bachelor’s degree in piano from KU in spring 2001; a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City in spring 2003; and a doctor of musical arts from KU in spring 2008. He is a graduate of Andover High School.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049 and Andover
Michael Kirkendoll. See BUTLER COUNTY

MISSOURI
From St. Louis 63131
Nick Susi, junior in piano with a minor in German, son of Jesse and Janet Susi; Desmet Jesuit High School in St. Louis.

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