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Piano playing siblings honoured

Kelowna brother and sister were two of six students chosen for prestigious scholarship
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Ben Crowther (middle) was honoured to be invited to Conservatory °ä²¹²Ô²¹»å²¹Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Annual 2016 Convocation and Awards Ceremony held in London

Siblings Ben and Julia Crowther found themselves in some unique company late last year, earning piano-based scholarships.

The brother and sister were two of six piano students chosen from across the country to receive the Caroline Conron and Marguerite Geiger National Piano Travel and Study Scholarship. The Scholarship consisted of an all-expenses paid trip to London for a weekend of learning, which involved a one day piano master class, a personal professional CD recording, and a solo performance at the Convocation and Awards Ceremony the following day.

Although Ben was unable to accept the scholarship due to university exams, Julia, in Grade 10 piano, gained much benefit from this ²â±ð²¹°ùÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s master class clinician, Peter Longworth. A Canadian pianist who has performed in cities world-wide, Longworth is a faculty member of the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, and has established himself as one of the most sought-after performers of his generation.

During the Convocation and Awards Ceremony, Ben was awarded the Medal for Excellence for Theory 7 (B) and the Medal for Excellence for History 7, which he won in recognition of his outstanding grades in these two written exams, representing the highest marks in those subjects for British Columbia. He was also awarded the Edward (Ted) Lincoln Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $400 in recognition of his outstanding exam results this past academic year and was also the winner of this ²â±ð²¹°ùÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s D.F. Cook Associate Medal for Excellence, representing the highest combined associate mark in Canada for 2016. He also was awarded his Associate in Music Diploma (ACCM) and officially bestowed the initials, ACCM following his name.

The diploma was a culmination of many years of hard work and dedication to music. µþ±ð²ÔÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s introduction to music started at age 3 with the Canadian program, Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œM³Ü²õ¾±³¦ For Young °ä³ó¾±±ô»å°ù±ð²ÔÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥ (MYC), taught by ³Ù³ó±ð²Ô-±Ê±ð²Ô³Ù¾±³¦³Ù´Ç²ÔÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s, Jill Heinrichs. Upon completing ²Ñ³Û°äÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s 5-year program, Ben commenced private piano lessons at age 8 with Joseph Berarducci, piano teacher at Kelowna Community Music School.

During the Convocation Ceremony, both Ben and Julia had the privilege of meeting and hearing performances by Frank Mills, one of °ä²¹²Ô²¹»å²¹Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s most prolific and successful modern composers, best known for his 1978-9 hit single, Music Box Dancer. Mills was awarded this ²â±ð²¹°ùÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Conservatory Canada Honourary Licentiate in Music (LCCM).



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