Members of the Friends of John Coltrane, Inc. announce the 2020 Student Instrument Essay Contest winners to celebrate the birthday of John Coltrane, saxophonist, composer, jazz icon and High Point, NC native son! September 23rd would have been Trane’s 94th birthday. In his honor, seven North Carolina middle and high school student musicians will receive a brand-new instrument for writing a compelling essay that expressed their personal passion for music.
The winners are:
Richard Crabtree – Electric Guitar – 10th grade – High Point, NCPenn Griffin School of the Arts (High Point, NC)
Miles Jennings – Alto Saxophone – 6th grade – High Point, NCPhoenix Academy, (High Point, NC)
Larry Monroe – Baritone Saxophone – 11th grade – McLeansville, NCDudley High School, (Greensboro, NC)
Kyle Pemberton – Violin – 7th grade, High Point, NCForsyth Country Day School, (Winston Salem, NC)
Elisabeth Qualls – French Horn – 9th grade, Lake Toxaway, NCRosman High School, (Rosman, NC)
Janet Sams – Euphonium – 10th grade, High Point, NCHigh Point Central High School (High Point, NC)
John Wagner – Tuba – 12 grade – High Point, NC)High Point Central High School (High Point, NC)
In past years, winners were presented with their instruments on stage during the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, named to honor of the musician who grew up in High Point, NC. The coronavirus forced the postponement of the 10th anniversary festival, scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Organizers decided to hold the contest even though there would not be a live event for the students to attend.
