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Fred Pattison Piano Competition

The Fred Pattison Piano Award at the Don Wright Faculty of Music is awarded to the winner of an annual piano competition. In addition to receiving a cash award, the winner will give a public performance the following academic year. Proceeds from the Fred Pattison Award Fund support the annual competition and cash prize.

Dr. Pattison was Western’s former Head of Chemistry (1959-65) and Director of Student Health Services (1973-88). He passed away in August 2010. Dr. Pattison had a great passion for the piano and spent many hours enjoying performances in von Kuster Hall at the Faculty of Music. This award reflects his love of music and his desire to reward excellence in piano performance. 2008-09 was the inaugural year for this competition.

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Competition Overview

The Fred Pattison Piano Award is awarded to a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year full-time student enrolled in a Music Degree program, whose principal instrument is piano. Fourth year students can only participate if they are returning for a Master of Music program or One-Year Artist Diploma the following year. Repertoire is limited to solo piano works only; concertos are not permitted.

The competition consists of two rounds:

Round One – Live Audition

Students should prepare 10 minutes of music for Round One, which will be performed live in front of the adjudicator only. This round is not open to the public. A maximum of 10 minutes of music should be chosen carefully to demonstrate technique, range, and musicality. Repertoire performed in Round One may also be repeated in the Final Round.

Final Round – Public Performance

Each of the finalists will perform a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of 30 minutes of solo repertoire for the adjudicator and a live audience. Participants must perform the final round program as submitted in their registration.Results will be announced upon conclusion of the final round.

Finalists will also perform in a masterclass for the adjudicator on a subsequent date.

The adjudicator for the 2024 competition is Greg Butler.

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2024 Performances and Masterclass Information

Thursday, Jan. 18 | 8pm
von Kuster Hall | ~1.5h duration
2023 Fred Pattison Award Competition Winner
Solo piano concert featuring student winner Terrence Wu. 

Friday, Jan. 19 | 8pm
von Kuster Hall | ~2h duration
2024 Fred Pattison Piano Award Competition – Final Round

Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11am
von Kuster Hall | ~2.5h duration
Fred Pattison Piano Masterclass
Fred Pattison Piano Masterclass featuring guest artist Greg Butler with 2024 competition finalists

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Previous Winners

2022-23
Congratulations to Terrence Wu, winner of the 2023 Fred Pattison Competition. We look forward to Terrence’s Winner’s Recital on January 18, 2024. This year’s competition was adjudicated by David Rogosin.

2021-22
Congratulations to Songlee Kim, winner of the 2022 Fred Pattison Competition. Songlee's public performance was given on January 19, 2023 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Li Wang.

2020-21
Congratulations to Ian Pepper, winner of the 2021 Fred Pattison Competition. This year’s competition was adjudicated by James Parker.

2019-20
Congratulations to Terrence Wu, winner of the 2020 Fred Pattison Competition. Terrence's livestream public performance was recorded on February 4, 2021 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Sofya Bugayan.

2018-19
Congratulations to Kevin Lu, winner of the 2019 Fred Pattison Competition. Kevin's public performance was given on January 23, 2020 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Yael Weiss.

2017-18
Congratulations to Elizabeth Vogel, winner of the 2018 Fred Pattison Competition. Elizabeth's public performance was given on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Enrico Elisi.

2016-17
Congratulations to Ethan Lacey, winner of the 2017 Fred Pattison Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by David Jalbert.

2015-16
Congratulations to James Masschelein winner of the 2016 Fred Pattison Piano Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 26, 2017 in von Kuster Hall. This year's competition was adjudicated by Jimmy Brière.

2014-15
Congratulations to Bryce Lansdell winner of the 2015 Fred Pattison Piano Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 28, 2016 in von Kuster Hall.

2013-14
Congratulations to Dan Luong winner of the 2014 Fred Pattison Piano Competition.

2012-13
Congratulations to  Vladimir Soloviev  winner of the  2013 Fred Pattison Piano Competition .

2011-12
Bryn Blackwood was the winner of the 2012 Fred Pattison Piano Competition on Friday January 27, 2012. Bryn presented a recital on Thursday January 24, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.

2010-11
Congratulations to Vladimir Soloviev who won the 2011 Fred Pattison Piano Competition! All three finalists played brilliantly - the other two were Edgar Robert Suski and Brian Barber. Attending the competition were Mrs. Anne Pattison and their daughter Elizabeth. The 8:00 p.m. final round concert marked the first time the Don Wright Faculty of Music presented a live streamed event. Vladimir presented a recital on Thursday January 26, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.

2009-10
Ingrid Gan was the winner of the 2009-10 Fred Pattison Competition. Ingrid was a student of Gwen Beamish.

2008-09
Congratulations to Neal Cabigon, winner of the inaugural Fred Pattison Competition. Neal came to Western after a year in the Science Faculty of his hometown University of Regina, Saskatchewan. He is in the third year of the Honours Performance program. (left to right: Mrs. Pattison, Dr. Pattison, Sara Laimon (Adjudicator), Neal Cabigon)

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Contact Information

Kyung Kim, D.M.A
Fred Pattison Competition Co-ordinator
519-661-2111 85368
kkim487@uwo.ca