Posting Date: April 3, 2009
KSU hosts GMTA in-state auditions
By Liza Scales
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Kennesaw State University will host the 2009 Georgia Music Teachers Association in-state auditions on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18 at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center on the KSU campus. The purpose of the auditions is to recognize the musical talents of as many students as possible in the state.
Several hundred pre-college and college students of piano, voice and other instruments will compete for the winners’ recital. Winners will receive ratings of “Outstanding Performer,” “Award of Excellence” or “Honorable Mention” and will be recognized in an issue of the GMTA newsletter, as well as posted on the Georgia Music Teachers Association website. One performer from each category will be selected as “Conference Recitalist” and will perform at the GMTA Conference at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega from November 1–3, 2009.
David Watkins, director of keyboard studies, says, “This event is important to KSU because it exposes prospective new students to all that we have to offer. This is the largest event that GMTA sponsors every year.” Watkins explains that auditions have been at the University of Georgia for the past few years, “and we are happy and proud that GMTA decided to move the event to Kennesaw. It coincides with the opening of our beautiful new facilities at the Bailey Center.” He also says that the KSU students are quite qualified and will compare favorably with other entrants. A number of KSU students have received the honor of performing in the conference through this event in past years.
Not only is Watkins certified as a master teacher by the Music Teachers National Association, but he was president of the American Matthay Association from 1994-1998 and president of the Georgia Music Teachers Association from 1994-1996. In addition to his duties at KSU as a professor of music, Watkins continues to perform and lecture.