Home » Blog » Bradshaw ’22 Awarded 2021 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition

Bradshaw ’22 Awarded 2021 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition

Samuel Bradshaw ’22 (Bachelor of Music in Composition) was awarded the 2021 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition for his percussion quartet “Bury Me Not.” The piece will be performed by the EDGE Ensemble at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at Bright Box Theater. Visit conservatoryperforms.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

“I’m honored to have received the Averitt Prize for my piece ‘Bury Me Not’ and been chosen to represent my colleagues in the composition studio in the upcoming EDGE concert,” said Bradshaw. “I thank professor Newman, Dr. Tim Robblee and Dr. Karlyn Viña, who have been forces of nature in organizing and mentoring myself and fellow students in our goal of promoting new musical works in the first live concert setting many of us will be performing in since 2020. I also want to thank professors Golder O’Neill and Graham Spice for their contributions to the technical aspects of the upcoming show, including generously providing personal pieces of antique equipment.”

“Bury Me Not” is dedicated to Bradshaw’s two late grandmothers: Kathryn Weyrich and Lois Bradshaw.

The William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition is awarded each year to an outstanding undergraduate student in the composition program at Shenandoah Conservatory. Named in honor of Professor Emeritus William Averitt, one of the founders of the program in composition at Shenandoah, this award recognizes outstanding talent in composition at Shenandoah Conservatory. All works submitted for composition juries throughout each academic year are eligible, and are judged based on

  • Excellence of compositional craft;
  • Artistry and creativeness of ideas; and
  • Clarity of execution in score preparation

Faculty review all of the year’s jury scores and submitted works, and select a single composer/work, by consensus, to be awarded the prize. The award is officially announced at the annual end-of-year Shenandoah Conservatory Honors Recital. Winners receive a certificate of achievement and a performance of the winning work by a Shenandoah Conservatory ensemble.

Visit www.samuelbradshawcomposer.com to learn more about Bradshaw and hear an audio recording from a reading of his work performed by Sō Percussion.

Categories: , ,

Recent News

Headshots of Dr. Yunita Anwar (left) and Dr. John Winn (right), both of the Shenandoah University School of Business

WalletHub Taps Two SU Professors for Insight and Advice

Drs. Winn and Anwar Talk Insurance and Improving Credit

Shenandoah Pharmacy Graduates Secure Competitive PGY2 Residency Matches

Four pharmacy graduates advance into competitive PGY2 residencies in pediatric, psychiatric pharmacy, oncology, and investigational drugs and research

Professor explains content on a screen in a Shenandoah University educational leadership doctoral class.

New Higher Ed Concentration Offered in Shenandoah University’s Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs

Course topics delve into the primary responsibilities of higher education leaders

Headshot of J. Robert "Bobby" Spencer

Shenandoah University To Hold Special Performance To Benefit SSMT Living Legacy Endowment Fund

Original ‘Jersey Boy’ J. Robert Spencer headlines ensemble cast of Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre alumni

Shenandoah OT Programs Recognize Students & Educators of Distinction

2024-25 Awardees Hail From Four Occupational Therapy Programs

Students walk on campus with Sarah's Glen in the background.

Shenandoah University Participating In 2025 Virginia Private College Week

Prospective students who visit from July 21-26 will be entered to win an Amazon gift card and are eligible for an application fee waiver

Monthly Archives