Honors Student wins Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Award

Jaime Jones, senior major in music from Sulphur, recently won the Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Award. Because Jaime’s piano composition “Camel Ride,” written for younger musicians, received the top prize in this national competition, she received a $1500 award and plaque, the chairman played her piece at a convention, and her composition will be submitted for publication. Read more about Jaime, her composition, and her honors work in the Honors Spotlight.

Q. Why do you think your composition won the top prize?
A. I was surprised that it was selected. It wasn’t Mozart. The subject matter may have been the reason. It has an Arabian flavor, with new notes and new chords for younger players.

Q. How long did it take you to write the piece?
A. About a month.

Q. How did you come to enter the competition?
A. Mr. Garcia, my professor in piano pedagogy, suggested we all should write a composition since it would help us understand better how to play. He encouraged us all to enter.

Q. How long have you been playing the piano?
A. Since I was 7—a long time. 14 years or so.

Q. What are your plans when you graduate from East Central?
A. I plan to attend OU and pursue a Master’s degree in piano pedagogy. One day I intend to open a private studio.

Q. Do you have any advice for East Central Students, especially honors students in music?
A. It takes discipline and hard work. I took all honors gen. ed. but one course. You should do your honors projects in classes you enjoy. For music majors in general, you have to practice, practice, practice. I found that out the hard way. You should practice not just what’s required but what you love—the Gershwin, the contemporary stuff. You’ll fall in love more with music when you do the things you want to do. It won’t feel forced.

Q. Any last thoughts?
A. Dr. Dennis Boe was instrumental in enrolling me in the honors program. I’m grateful to him for that.