CSUB students named finalists in student composition competition

Music majors participate in competition, in conjunction with 4th annual Fresno Art Song Festival

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 24^th, 2021

Two music majors at California State University, Bakersfield, Zachary Pierce and Steve Parker, were recently named finalists in the upcoming student composition competition, held in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Fresno State Art Song Festival.

The event is set to take place via Zoom on Friday, Feb 26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10: 15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“This means a lot, especially during a year that has been so hampered and disrupted by a global pandemic. This means that, in spite of all that, our students are still artistically active and are still able to produce quality music worthy of recognition,” said Dr. Kyle Shaw, assistant professor of music composition and theory.

Students in the California Central Valley were open to apply for the competition. Composers were able to submit a two-minute song for piano and solo vocalist, setting the poem “Visiting the Shinzen Friendship Garden,” written specifically for the competition.

“As Steve and Zach were composing their songs, we had the opportunity to meet virtually, along with students from Fresno State, with San Francisco-based composer Kurt Erickson. The whole experience of preparing for and entering the competition provided great exposure for Steve and Zach to a working, professional composer in the field,” said Dr. Shaw.

Photo of Steve Parker — Steve Parker, plans to attend graduate school in the fall, majoring in composition.

Steve Parker is finishing his senior project at the university, a thesis and an original guitar accompaniment to a 16th-century madrigal by Giulio Caccini. He is awaiting graduation in May of this year. He plans to attend graduate school in the fall, majoring in composition.

Zack Pierce is studying music, focusing on viola performance. Alongside, he is studying composition, jazz and musicology/ethnomusicology. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue careers in performing, composing, arranging, teaching and recording.

“It also helped drive home the necessity for aspiring composers of submitting compositions to various events such as this one, getting their work and their name out there, and widening their network of contacts among professional and pre-professional musicians,” added Dr. Shaw.

The songs by the CSUB students will be performed at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. Those interested in attending the event can register for the festival for free by following this link.