CMU Student Wins Music Award

Chalk up another music award for a CMU student. This time it’s vocalist Kirsten Hamm of Altona, Man., who won the Jack Siemens Trophy at the Red River Valley Festival of the Arts on April 8.

Kirsten Hamm with with the Jack Siemens Trophy.

Hamm, a member of the Altona Mennonite Church, sang in the Italian, German, and French Classical class. The adjudicator was Margot Sim, Minister of Music at Grace Bible Church and long-time voice instructor.

In addition to wining the trophy, Hamm received the highest mark in the Festival.

Hamm, in her first year at CMU, is an English major and Music minor. She also is pursuing a certificate in Anabaptist Studies and plays on the women’s volleyball team.

Of her music studies, Hamm says that they have “taught me a lot about the theory that lies behind music, and about myself as a musician as well. The program is intense, but when you realize all that you have learned it is definitely worth the time and effort.”

Of her time at the university, she says “I have absolutely loved my first year at CMU. I enjoy sports, music, and being in leadership. CMU has enabled to continue doing all of those things in a way that nurtures my faith and my Anabaptist roots.”

CMU students who won previous music competitions are Katie Doke of Regina, who won the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers Association vocal competition, and Damaris Schmucker of Winnipeg, who won the Long & McQuade Trophy for the most outstanding grade 10 woodwind and brass performance at the annual Winnipeg Music Festival.

Posted April 17, 2008.