Centenary Student Wins Music Competition

SHREVEPORT, La. - Centenary College music major Ruben Reyes is the winner of the 2009 Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition held Jan. 17 at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Ruben Reyes (photo by Sherry Heflin)

Sponsored by the Monroe Symphony League, the competition is an annual event established by the Monroe Symphony League and the Monroe Symphony Orchestra to promote and encourage excellence in musical performance, and to provide orchestral performance opportunities for youth and young adults residing in Louisiana.

A junior piano major, Reyes' winning performance was Grieg's Concerto in A minor. For capturing first place in the competition, Reyes will have the opportunity to perform with the Monroe Symphony during their 2009-2010 season, and collected a cash prize.

Reyes is also the current winner of the Hurley School of Music's Concerto and Aria competition. He will perform the first movement of the Grieg concerto with the Hurley Chamber Orchestra on February 10, 2009. He was named Outstanding Jazz Performer in 2006 at Texas A & M University's Kingsville Summer Camp. As a percussionist, he is a member of the Louisiana Intercollegiate Band and the National Honor Band. Reyes is also accompanist for the Centenary College Choir.

A native of Brownsville, Texas, Reyes studies with Gay Grosz, who is Collaborative Artist in Residence at Centenary College.

Centenary students Christine Linschoten and Nancy Carey also competed in the Marjorie Stricklin competition.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and is regularly rated as one of the top colleges in the South. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in the Shreveport and Bossier City communities.