University senior from Findlay wins Mosiman contest

Kitanya Murray (center) won Bluffton University's Mosiman Young Artist Competition on March 18. Flanking her are fellow finalists Beth McCullough (left) and Kristin Beckman (right).

Kitanya Murray, a Bluffton University senior from Findlay, won the third annual Mosiman Young Artist Competition with her performance on alto saxophone March 18 at Bluffton's Bach Festival Concert.

A $100 cash prize accompanied the title for Murray, who also won the Audience Choice Award, an honor she shared at last year's competition. She is a music major with a concentration in performance.

Seniors Beth McCullough, a flutist from Sherwood and Kristin Beckman, a vocalist from Ottawa were the other finalists chosen to perform at the festival concert, hosted by the university's music department. McCullough is a music education major at Bluffton, while Beckman, a soprano, has a double major in social work and music, with a performance concentration.

Judging the competition were retired teachers Michael Suman of Bellefontaine and Linda Fox-Miller of Lima-both of whom played in the Bach Festival Orchestra at the March 18 concert-and Bluffton alumna Mary Glick, a 2008 graduate and Bluffton resident who teaches vocal music in Kalida Local Schools.

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