Contact: Maridith Geuder
Five Mississippi State music education majors and a freshman in liberal arts are winners of numerous 2002 top honors given by the Mississippi Music Teachers Association.
Among the university's 14 students participating in rigorous performance-based competition at a recent statewide MMTA event, two finished in first place; two in second place; and two with honorable mention.
More than 400 teachers of elementary-college students are members of the association, which annually sponsors the student challenge.
"Because Mississippi State's program focuses on education rather than on strict musical performance, we were delighted that our students have proven to be such strong competitors," said professor Lana K. Johns. "It illustrates how these busy and dedicated young people have carved out the necessary practice time required for performance excellence."
MSU winners and categories included [by hometown]:
AMORY--Senior Rachel R. Cline, honorable mention in the junior/senior woodwind solo division. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cline, she is a clarinet student of music education instructor Sheri Falcone.
BRANDON--Junior Karen E. Floyd, honorable mention in the junior/senior woodwind solo division. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Floyd, she is a flute student of Johns.
GOOSE CREEK, S.C.--Freshman liberal arts major Marcus L. Washington, first place in woodwind concerto division and honorable mention in the freshman/sophomore woodwind solo division. The son of Latonya Starks, he is a clarinet student of music education instructor Sheri Falcone.
MADISON--Freshman Jessica D. West, second place in the freshman/sophomore woodwind solo division. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel West, she is a flute student of Johns.
TRUSSVILLE, Ala.--Junior Andrea K. Browning, first place in the junior/senior woodwind solo division. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Browning, she is a flute student of Johns.
VERNON, Ala.--Junior Myra N. Graham, second place in woodwind concerto division. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Graham, she is a clarinet student of music education instructor Sheri Falcone.