Michael Jan, a junior at North High School, has won the 2017 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Electronic Music Composition Competition for High School, grades 9-12, for his piece, “Mist and Stars.” He is the only national winner in the grades 9-12 category. To hear Michael’s piece, go to www.nafme.org/wp-content/
The NAfME Electronic Music Composition Competition recognizes outstanding compositions and highlights the effectiveness of music technology in school curriculums. Entries were judged by member adjudicators based on their aesthetic quality, use of electronic media and power of the composition. Schools of winners will receive a one-year subscription to Soundation4Education, a sequencer and audio recording program, courtesy of Music First.
Michael has won other piano-related awards, including the American Protege Award and the American Fine Arts Festival International Competition for Romantic Music in Piano. He has been an avid piano player for over 11 years. Michael enjoys playing classical and pop, as well as improvising. He also plays the violin and has performed in North High’s orchestra and chamber music group. His orchestra teacher at North High is Joseph Rutkowski. Michael is a member of the school’s Piano Club and was entered in the NAfME competition by Dr. Janine Robinson, faculty sponsor of the Piano Club.
