NEWS: SUU PERCUSSION STUDENTS SCORE AT REGIONAL COMPETITIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/09/12
Michael French

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

College of Performing and Visual Arts
Southern Utah University
Office: 435-865-8667
michaelfrench@suu.edu

Photo credits:

Taylor Armstrong. Photo: Asher Swan

Lydia Bradshaw. Photo: Asher Swan

SUU PERCUSSION STUDENTS SCORE

AT REGIONAL COMPETITIONS

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah: The beat goes on for two SUU percussion students who recently won acclaim for their talent and performance at regional percussion events. Dr. Lynn Vartan, SUU Department of Music percussion instructor, is pleased to announce that Sophomore Lydia Bradshaw and Freshman Taylor Armstrong grabbed the spotlight and kept it.

At the Utah Day of Percussion competition, Taylor Armstrong, a native of Kanab, Utah, won first place in marimba. In addition, Taylor is scheduled to perform the vibrant Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra by Eric Ewazen with the Orchestra of Southern Utah in an upcoming spring concert. He began studying percussion at age ten with his grandfather as his mentor. Taylor has performed as one of six percussionists with the Honor Band of America in Indianapolis, Indiana.

           

When the Southern California Marimba Competition recently announced their semi-finalists for the upcoming competition, Lydia Bradshaw had received a placement. One of SUU’s most versatile percussionists, Lydia has improvised alongside jazz great Bob Sheppard at 2011’s Jazz Band Concert, worked with various SUU Orchestra and Ensembles, and last summer was part of the orchestra for the world premiere of Dream of Helen at the Hubei Opera and Dance Drama Theatre in Wuhan, China. The production featured music composed by her father, Dr. Keith M. Bradshaw, SUU Music Chair. 

Reflecting on her students’ achievements, Dr. Vartan remarked, “I am so proud of both Taylor and Lydia. Not only are they awesomely talented but they are also deeply committed students and performers. They, along with all their fellow percussionist students, make the percussion program here at SUU so amazing.”

Taylor and Lydia are two T-Birds who are always on the beat and winning acclaim for SUU’s Department of Music.   

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

The Southern Utah University College of Performing and Visual Arts is comprised of nationally accredited departments of Art and Design, Music, Theatre Arts and Dance, as well as a graduate program in Arts Administration. The College offers 16 different degree areas, including liberal arts Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; professional Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and theatre degrees; and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration degree. More than 60 full- and part-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 550 majors in the College. Over 1100 students enroll each year in over 195 arts classes on the SUU campus. The College presents 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year.  The College’s affiliate organizations include the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, American Folk Ballet, Utah Shakespearean Festival, and the SUU Ballroom Dance Company. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, contact the Office of the Dean (435) 865-8561, or by e-mail at cpvamktg@suu.edu.