Michael Benson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Benson and piano pupil of Esther Mills Wood, won first place, by unanimous decision of the judges, in the state division of the Baldwin Junior Keyboard Achievement Award. His father is a professor at TCC.
The competition was held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and was judged by piano faculty members from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. Inaugurated in 1965, the competition is made possible by funds from the Baldwin Piano Company and is conducted by the Music Teachers National Association. It is open to Junior High School Students in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, who can present a program of high musical standards, representing stylistic coverage of two or three important musical periods.
Michael, a 7th grade student at North Heights Junior High School, is one of the youngest who has ever won the Baldwin Award. The judges commented on his playing as being “very musical, and possessing the qualities of excellent style, with fine dynamic contrasts and musicianship.”