Fred Pattison Piano Competition

Fred PattisonThe Fred Pattison Piano Award at the Don Wright Faculty of Music is awarded to the winner of an annual piano competition. In addition to receiving a cash award, the winner will give a public performance the following academic year. Proceeds from the Fred Pattison Award Fund support the annual competition and cash prize.

Dr. Pattison was Western’s former Head of Chemistry (1959-65) and Director of Student Health Services (1973-88). He passed away in August 2010. Dr. Pattison had a great passion for the piano and spent many hours enjoying performances in von Kuster Hall at the Faculty of Music. This award reflects his love of music and his desire to reward excellence in piano performance. 2008-09 was the inaugural year for this competition.


Application

Deadline
2024-25 deadline TBA (fall 2024)

To register, students must email the following information to mpsdept@uwo.ca:

  • Student name
  • Repertoire for each round, including the duration of each piece (10 mins for Round One, 20-30 mins for the Final Round)
  • In lieu of a signature, copy your studio teacher on the email.
 

Competition Overview

The Fred Pattison Piano Award is awarded to a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year full-time student enrolled in a Music Degree program, whose principal instrument is piano. Fourth year students can only participate if they are returning for a Master of Music program or One-Year Artist Diploma the following year. Repertoire is limited to solo piano works only; concertos are not permitted.

The competition consists of two rounds:

Round One – Live Audition

Students should prepare 10 minutes of music for Round One, which will be performed live in front of the adjudicator only. This round is not open to the public. A maximum of 10 minutes of music should be chosen carefully to demonstrate technique, range, and musicality. Repertoire performed in Round One may also be repeated in the Final Round.
 

Final Round – Public Performance

Each of the finalists will perform a minimum of 20 minutes to a maximum of 30 minutes of solo repertoire for the adjudicator and a live audience. Participants must perform the final round program as submitted in their registration.Results will be announced upon conclusion of the final round.

Finalists will also perform in a masterclass for the adjudicator on a subsequent date.


2024 Performances and Masterclass Information

Thursday, Jan. 18 | 8pm
von Kuster Hall | ~1.5h duration
2023 Fred Pattison Award Competition Winner
Solo piano concert featuring student winner Terrence Wu

Friday, Jan. 19 | 8pm
von Kuster Hall | ~2h duration
2024 Fred Pattison Piano Award Competition – Final Round

Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11am
von Kuster Hall | ~2.5h duration
Fred Pattison Piano Masterclass
Fred Pattison Piano Masterclass with adjudicator Shoshana Telner featuring 2024 competition finalists


2024 Adjudicator Biography

Shoshana-Telner150x200-credit-Bo-Hung.jpgCanadian pianist Shoshana Telner has performed across Canada and abroad. Described as an “authentic musician with a sparkling technique” (Le Droit) and “full of fire and warmth” (the New York Times), Shoshana has a passion for engaging audiences with exciting performances. She made her solo orchestral début with the National Arts Centre Orchestra at the age of 16 and has since performed as soloist with several orchestras including the Québec Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Classical Orchestra, and the National Academy Orchestra.

Shoshana received a Bachelor’s degree on full scholarship from Boston University, a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School in New York, and a Doctorate in performance from McGill University. She has taught piano and coached ensembles at McGill University, the University of Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier University, and currently teaches piano at McMaster University. She frequently gives masterclasses, adjudicates competitions, and examines for the Royal Conservatory of Music. Photo credit: Bo Huang


Previous Winners

Kai Melconian portrait2023-24
Congratulations to Kai Melconian, winner of the 2024 Fred Pattison Competition. We look forward to Kai’s Winner’s Recital during the 2024-25 concert season, which will be announced in at the start of the next academic year in 2024. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Shoshana Telner.

Terrence Wu headshot2022-23
Congratulations to Terrence Wu, winner of the 2023 Fred Pattison Competition. We look forward to Terrence’s Winner’s Recital on January 18, 2024. This year’s competition was adjudicated by David Rogosin.

Songlee Kim headshot 2021-22
Congratulations to Songlee Kim, winner of the 2022 Fred Pattison Competition. Songlee's public performance was given on January 19, 2023 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Li Wang.

Ian Pepper 2020-21
Congratulations to Ian Pepper, winner of the 2021 Fred Pattison Competition. This year’s competition was adjudicated by James Parker.

Terrence Wu headshot 2019-20
Congratulations to Terrence Wu, winner of the 2020 Fred Pattison Competition. Terrence's livestream public performance was recorded on February 4, 2021 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Sofya Bugayan.

kevin lu 2018-19
Congratulations to Kevin Lu, winner of the 2019 Fred Pattison Competition. Kevin's public performance was given on January 23, 2020 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Yael Weiss.

elizabeth vogel 2017-18
Congratulations to Elizabeth Vogel, winner of the 2018 Fred Pattison Competition. Elizabeth's public performance was given on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by Enrico Elisi.

Ethan Lacey headshot 2016-17
Congratulations to Ethan Lacey, winner of the 2017 Fred Pattison Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in von Kuster Hall. This year’s competition was adjudicated by David Jalbert.

James Masschelein headshot 2015-16
Congratulations to James Masschelein winner of the 2016 Fred Pattison Piano Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 26, 2017 in von Kuster Hall. This year's competition was adjudicated by Jimmy Brière.

Bryce Lansdell headshot 2014-15
Congratulations to Bryce Lansdell winner of the 2015 Fred Pattison Piano Competition. His public performance was given on Thursday, January 28, 2016 in von Kuster Hall.

Dan Luong headshot 2013-14
Congratulations to Dan Luong winner of the 2014 Fred Pattison Piano Competition.

Vladimir Soloviev headshot 2012-13
Congratulations to  Vladimir Soloviev  winner of the  2013 Fred Pattison Piano Competition .

Bryn Blackwood headshot 2011-12
Bryn Blackwood was the winner of the 2012 Fred Pattison Piano Competition on Friday January 27, 2012. Bryn presented a recital on Thursday January 24, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.

Vladimir Soloviev 2010-11
Congratulations to Vladimir Soloviev who won the 2011 Fred Pattison Piano Competition! All three finalists played brilliantly - the other two were Edgar Robert Suski and Brian Barber. Attending the competition were Mrs. Anne Pattison and their daughter Elizabeth. The 8:00 p.m. final round concert marked the first time the Don Wright Faculty of Music presented a live streamed event. Vladimir presented a recital on Thursday January 26, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.

Ingrid Gan headshot 2009-10
Ingrid Gan was the winner of the 2009-10 Fred Pattison Competition. Ingrid was a student of Gwen Beamish.

2008-2009 Winners 2008-09
Congratulations to Neal Cabigon, winner of the inaugural Fred Pattison Competition. Neal came to Western after a year in the Science Faculty of his hometown University of Regina, Saskatchewan. He is in the third year of the Honours Performance program. (left to right: Mrs. Pattison, Dr. Pattison, Sara Laimon (Adjudicator), Neal Cabigon)


Contact Information

Kyung Kim, D.M.A
Fred Pattison Competition Co-ordinator
519-661-2111 85368
kkim487@uwo.ca