BGSU music education student wins national award

Sara Young and John GruberBOWLING GREEN, O.—A Bowling Green State University senior music education major took home first place in the brass category at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) national Young Artist Competition. The ceremony on March 22 was part of the MTNA annual conference in Albuquerque, N.M.

John Gruber, a Bowling Green native and trombone student, received a $3,000 cash prize and performed in the Winner’s Concert on March 23. Gruber is a student of Dr. William Mathis, associate professor of trombone and chair of music performance. Gruber has also worked with Garth Simmons, adjunct associate professor of trombone, for the past year.

Gruber, accompanied on piano by Sara Young, a graduate student from Clinton Twp., Mich., performed a 40-minute recital that included various styles from the baroque, classical and contemporary periods

“This is a well-known organization,” said Mathis. “To have a student get to that level is a great way to promote the school and our program. We can tell potential students that we have students performing at a national level.

“The same thing goes for the entire college—to have students leave campus and go out and be measured against a national standard is important for our students and us to make an assessment on how we’re doing and the students we’re recruiting.”

MTNA performance competitions are designed to provide education experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.

Gruber has been a member of BGSU’s Wind Symphony, the Falcon Marching Band, Jazz Lab Band I, University Men’s Chorus and the Athletic Band.

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(Posted March 26, 2010 )