BOONE, N.C. — As a result of her state- and division-level wins in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Performance Competition, Appalachian State University graduate student Molly Reid ’14, of Cary, will compete in the national level of the competition, held March 21–25 in Chicago. The top prize, sponsored by Steinway & Sons, is $5,000.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for Molly and her teacher, Dr. Rodney Reynerson,” said Dr. James Douthit, dean of the HSOM. Reynerson is professor of piano and piano area coordinator in the HSOM.

“Molly is a wonderful pianist who shares her skills and talents freely — not only as a soloist but as a collaborative pianist within the Hayes School of Music,” Douthit continued. “Hours that she has spent in the practice room and in the performance halls have provided her with a foundation to continue to build a career as a pianist.”

According to the MTNA website, the purpose of its performance competitions, which are open to both undergraduates and graduate students, is to “provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.”

“I’m very excited to represent North Carolina and the Southern Division in the national final round of the MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition. It is an honor to be selected, and it will be a great experience to share the stage with the other accomplished Division winners in Chicago,” said Reid, who is pursuing a Master of Music in music performance with a concentration in piano performance from Appalachian.

In order to prepare for the national competition, Reid devotes many hours each week to practicing, studying scores and listening to other pianists’ interpretations, she said, adding, “My weekly lessons with Dr. Reynerson are also an important to this process.”

Her performance program for the national competition is about 40 minutes long and includes the following compositions:

• Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101.
• “Harmonies du soir,” one of Franz Liszt’s 12 Transcendental Études.
• The first movement of Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op. 82.

Douthit shared that, in summer 2020, Reid will join the HSOM’s Cannon Music Camp piano faculty and “begin sharing her expertise with the young pianists who are eager to grow in their skills and artistry.”

After graduating summa cum laude from Appalachian with her Bachelor of Music in music performance in 2014, Reid studied music theory and piano at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she received a Master of Music in theory in 2016. She has also studied music theory at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center.

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Music Performance: Master of Music (MM)

The Master of Music in Music Performance provides a well-rounded education in music as a formidable expression of artistic talent and demonstrated excellence in knowledge of pedagogy and applied literature.

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About the Hayes School of Music

The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs. Learn more at https://music.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.