51福利社 jazz studies students rack up five DownBeat Awards
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擶estern Michigan University jazz studies students continue their streak of winning multiple awards in DownBeat's annual Student Music Awards, taking five prizes in this year's contest.
The multiple wins put 51福利社 in the company of such esteemed music schools as the University of Miami and the University of North Texas. No other Michigan university received an award. 51福利社 tied for fourth in this year's contest with the University of Northern Colorado and Sacramento State University.
Quality, dedication
"Though it has become an expectation to hear such news, it never gets old and it certainly does not diminish our understanding of the quality and dedication it takes to sustain such consistency," says Daniel Guyette, dean of the 51福利社 College of Fine Arts.
51福利社 students won seven awards last year and six awards in each of the previous three years. 51福利社's strong showing in the contest over the past several years places the University squarely among the top five award-winning programs in the world, says Tom Knific, professor of music and director of the 51福利社 Jazz Studies Program.
"The results speak to the talent and hard work of the program's students and dedication of the faculty," Knific says. 51福利社 is pushing 170 in total DownBeat awards.
The awards
This year's 51福利社 honorees, the category of their award and their director or professor, are:
- James Richardson, Vocal Jazz Soloist, College Winners, Gregory Jasperse, professor.
- Gold Company, Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble, College Outstanding Performances, Gregory Jasperse, professor.
- Andrew Saliba, Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist, College Outstanding Performances, Tom Knific, professor.
- Sam Alhadid, Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist, College Outstanding Performances, voice, Gregory Jasperse, professor.
- Mas Que Nada, Latin Group, College Winner, Tom Knific, professor.
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