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 (1959-1965) and Director of Student Health Services (1973-1988). 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. 2008-2009 was the inaugural year for this competition.
The details for each year's competition are released in the fall. Contact mpsdept@uwo.ca for information.
2020-21 Competition Details
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 the following year. The competition consists of two rounds.
Round One – Recorded Audition
Participants must register in advance (registration availablility to be announced in the fall). A maximum of 10 minutes of music should be chosen carefully to demonstrate technique, range, and musicality. Material performed in Round One may also be performed in Round Two.
Round Two – Public Performance
This round is judged by an adjudicator and requires each of the finalists to perform a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of 30 minutes of solo repertoire. Participants must perform their program as outlined in their registration.
The ajuducator for this year's competition is James Parker.
Performance Livestreams
March 5, 2021 | 12:30 p.m.
Student concert featuring 2020-21 Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition winners (Andrew Busch, percussion; Winnie Zheng, piano; Meagan Foster, percussion; Angela Gjurichan, voice), and 2020 Fred Pattison Piano Competition winner Terrence Wu.
All performances were recorded in von Kuster Hall in January and February 2021. No in-person audience members were permitted, and strict COVID-19 safety protocols were in place for all performers, faculty, and recording staff.
March 12, 2021 | 12:30 p.m.
Student concert featuring 2021 Fred Pattison Piano Competition finalists Winnie Zheng, Ian Pepper, and Tiffany Bui.
All performances were recorded in von Kuster Hall in January and February 2021. No in-person audience members were permitted, and strict COVID-19 safety protocols were in place for all performers, faculty, and recording staff.
Winners
2020-21 Winner
Congratulations to Ian Pepper, winner of the 2021 Fred Pattison Competition. Ian will give a public performance in January 2022, in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by James Parker.
2019-20 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
Congratulations to Dan Luong winner of the 2014 Fred Pattison Piano Competition.
2012-13 Winner
Congratulations to Vladimir Soloviev winner of the 2013 Fred Pattison Piano Competition .
2011-12 Winner
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 Winner
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 Winner
Ingrid Gan was the winner of the 2009-10 Fred Pattison Competition. Ingrid was a student of Gwen Beamish.
2008-09 Winner
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)
Adjudicator Biography
James Parker
Accomplished, versatile, brilliant, are descriptors frequently linked to Canadian pianist, James Parker. To put it simply, he is among the most sought-after artists. Mr. Parker's achievements are both lengthy and impressive. His musical roots can be traced to the Vancouver Academy of Music and the University of British Columbia where he studied with Kum Sing Lee. He then went on and received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts at The Juilliard School with Adele Marcus. Dr. Parker continues the teaching tradition as the Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance on the music faculty at the University of Toronto.
Awards came early and often. Beginning in 1984 with a first prize at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, James served notice that he was a rising star. The CBC competition concurred, selecting him winner of the 25th National Competition for Young Performers. The Virginia Parker Award as the most promising young classical artist soon followed, further solidifying Parker's place as one of Canada's best. He is often invited to the international juries of such competitions as the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the Honens International Piano Competition.
Concerts given by Dr. Parker consistently garner artistic acclaim. His style has earned him praise as “one of the most searching musical intellects and 10 of the nimblest fingers in the business” according to The Globe and Mail. James has enthralled audiences in North America and Europe, counting diplomats and dignitaries among his receptive audiences. He has made frequent appearances on CBC, and has performed on Bravo!, the CanWest Global Network, MuchMusic and a myriad of stations across the globe.
A consummate professional, Dr. Parker is recognized as a soloist, a chamber musician and as the pianist for Canada's foremost ensemble, the Gryphon Trio. Add to this his critically acclaimed performances with major Canadian symphonies like Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Quebec City, Edmonton, National Arts Centre, Symphony Nova Scotia and many in between, one is reminded of the scope of his contributions to the national classical music scene. With three JUNO recording awards and many other nominations from his vast discography, Dr. Parker (or as we know him), Jamie, continues to graciously strive to do it all.
James Parker is a Steinway Artist.
Contact Information
Leslie Kinton
Fred Pattison Competition Co-ordinator
519-661-2111 x85373
lkinton@uwo.ca
