Dr. David Abbott will be the featured Artist/Clinician at this year’s Young Artist Competition in McKinney, Texas on April 13-15.  Each year, the McKinney Musical Arts Society brings highly talented high school pianists from across Texas and Oklahoma to McKinney to compete for cash prizes and artistic recognition.

The weekend activities will begin with a concert presented by Dr. Abbott at 7:30 p.m. at the Heard-Craig Performance Hall on Church Street, just northwest of the historic downtown square.  Dr. Abbott is a graduate of the Eastman and Juilliard Schools of Music and has been Associate Professor of Piano at Albion College in Albion, Michigan since 2005.  He has performed extensively across America, as well as in Switzerland, Germany, Australia and China. 

Friday’s concert will feature works from Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt, and promises to be an exciting evening of fine classical entertainment.  The concert is open to the public.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for Seniors and $5 for students (no charge when accompanied by parents).  Tickets may be purchased online at www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org or at the door. 

On Saturday the contestants will perform their competition pieces and participate in master classes conducted by Dr. Abbott.  All the contestants will present a recital Sunday afternoon, after which the awards will be announced.  The public is invited to all Saturday and Sunday activities at no charge.  More information about the concert and the competition activities may be found at www.mckinneymusicalarts.org.  

McKinney Musical Arts Society and the Young Artist Competition are funded, in part, by generous grants from McKinney Arts Commission. 

Submitted by Roy Austin, MMAS board member