Arts & Culture

UK Sophomore Recognized in Regional Woodwind Competition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 27, 2015)  Sophomore bassoon major Jonathan Barrett was recognized at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Performance Competition held in January at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Barrett, who represented Kentucky in the competition, performed three pieces, including Alexander Tansman's Sonatine for bassoon and piano. His performance earned him an honorable mention honors.

“I've been playing bassoon for 8 years now and have been studying with Professor Peter Simpson for the last three,” Barrett said. “I want to thank all of my teachers over the years, my parents, friends and family, and especially Peter for helping me prepare for this competition, and my trusty accompanist, Tedrin Lindsay.”

Barrett has studied other instruments including clarinet, flute, bassoon, guitar and saxophone. He says that guitar was his first instrument but he has been playing the saxophone for nine years.

“Music is a life style,” Barrett said. “Growing up with discipline, passion, hard work and the joy of music has no doubt made me the person I am today”.

The MTNA's mission is to “support the careers and professionalism of teachers of music” for students like Jonathan Barrett. Each year, nine surrounding states send the winners from their own competition to the Southern Division Competition for an opportunity to be sent to nationals. Winners from the regional competitions go onto nationals, which is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The MTNA recognizes six Young Artist award winners in composition, brass, piano, string, voice and woodwind.  

The UK School of Music at UK College of Fine Arts has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu