Piano competition unlocks students’ musical potential
For six years, Dennis Alexander has presented some of the brightest pianists an opportunity to perform on a grand stage. This year, Alexander will once again feature musicians ranging from age 7 through 15.
“We started off as a very small competition,” he says. “Now we have students coming from all different parts of the state. Eventually, I would be interested in it becoming a regional competition.”
Alexander is a professor and he has earned an international reputation as one of North America’s most prolific composers of educational piano music for students at all levels.
He taught piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Montana, Missoula for 24 years before retiring in 1996 from his position as chair of the piano division.
Founded in 2011, the Dennis Alexander Competition has grown into all-state status, with contestants coming from different areas of New Mexico. The contestants will perform two contrasting pieces from memory.
“This exciting and unique piano competition is sponsored by the New Mexico School of Music,” he says. “It’s mission is to give young musicians the opportunity to display their talents and help them unlock their musical potential.”
The pianists compete in a contest in four different categories and will take place beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 12 at the New Mexico School of Music, 136 Washington SE.
It will be judged by Dr. Daniel Cummings of Albuquerque; Dr. Timothy Burns, faculty member at Ft. Collins University in Colorado; and Kim Bakkum of Taos.
The concert takes place on March 11.