Alumni Magazine - Spring 2008 - (Page 55) Richard Guthman, opposite page, endowed the Margaret A. Guthman Keyboard Competition in honor of his wife. One thing that’s noteworthy about the Tech-based competition is that in addition to the classical vein, there’s a category for jazz pianists from across the country as well. ered by Georgia Public Broadcasting, which televised the event in four programs, two in August and two in September. Clark says the competition has attracted “phenomenal musicians.” “Richard Guthman thinks in very large terms,” Clark says, observing that he did not restrict the competition to just classical piano. “The unique feature about our competition is that it not only combines classical and jazz, the jazz portion also is structured differently.” Jazz competitors must improvise, he explains. “Jazz piano is not one of those everybody’s-got-one kinds of things,” Clark says. “It’s relatively rare to find a high-level jazz keyboard competition. One of the things that makes ours really exciting and unique is not only do we have great judges, but in addition to playing solo piano, you have to play as part of a trio. The jazz folks do three tunes, and two of those are with a trio. We have a professional bass player and a professional drummer, and they are part of the judging and performance process. “The kids have to come in and show that they can improvise and work in real time with real jazz players. And then they do a solo. Regionally, there is no competition that brings those elements together.” Clark says the competition is looking to a future that also embraces electronic instruments. “If you look at the Yamaha roster of performing artists, there are classical folks and there are a few jazz folks, but the majority are either in pop or rock or techno or doing other sorts of things. They’re playing other sorts of stuff. My question is, ‘Where’s the competition for them? Where do you learn to craft a career in that?’ And that would be an ideal way to expand what Richard and Margaret envisioned for a keyboard competition — not just one style of piano playing but really embracing a full range of keyboard expression.” GT Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine • Spring 2008 55
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