Wake Forest music department hosts competitions

The music competitions, established by Paul and Sara Sinal, honor Christopher Giles, who taught piano at Wake Forest for 37 years before his death in 1996. The contest also honors retired piano instructor Lucille S. Harris.

Beginning at 10 a.m., 12 Wake Forest piano students will compete for three cash prizes. Pianists will perform piano music of Brahms, Schumann or Beethoven. The first prize, named the Sinal Prize, is $500; second is $300. An additional prize of $500, the Ward Virts Prize for Pianistic Expressiveness, has been donated in memory of the former competition winner by his parents.

The second competition, open to Wake Forest student vocalists and instrumentalists, begins at 2 p.m. Twelve students will perform 20th century music and compete for the $500 first prize, the $300 second prize and the $200 third prize. The prizes were donated by alumni and friends of the music department.

Admission to the competitions is free and open to the public. For information, call 758-5364.