Student News: Sicong Zhou wins state piano competition

Second Zhou with professor Janet LandrethCSU senior piano performance major Sicong Zhou (Frank) took first place in the Young Artist Division of the 2018-2019 Colorado Music Teachers National Association Competitions held at the University of Colorado Boulder on Saturday, Oct. 20.

“Frank played beautifully and the judges’ comments were wonderful,” said Zhou’s teacher, Music Professor Janet Landreth, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Colorado State University. Dr. Landreth is founder and executive director of the International Keyboard Odyssiad & Festival, U.S.A., an international keyboard competition and festival.

Zhou’s recent accomplishments also include a silver medal at the 2017 International Keyboard Odyssiad Competition and first place in the 2018 CSU Concerto Competition.

You can hear this accomplished student at his senior recital on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall at the University Center for the Arts. The recital is free.

According to the Colorado State Music Teachers Association website (comusicteachers.net), forty-four students participated the performance competition, and four students took part in the composition contest. “CSMTA congratulates all students who competed, and wishes the best for the winners, or alternates, as they compete once again in the West Central Division Competition.”

The video-only division round is determined later this year with the National Student Competitions held at the MTNA National Conference in Spokane, Washington, on March 16-20, 2019.