| Welcome to the USC Chapter of the Mu Phi Epsilon, International Music Fraternity.
Our chapter at the Flora L. Thornton School of Music (called "Mu Nu Chapter") invites new members (music majors or minors). We will have more
information posted at the Fall Rush in September.
CHAPTER OFFICERS:During the 100th anniversary Mu Phi Epsilon Convention in Cincinnati, in August 2003, Marek Szpakiewicz won the First Prize in the MPE International Competition. The prize winner is expected to give a series of recitals around the country. Congratulations to our President, DMA student in cello performance at USC. More information about Marek Szpakiewicz is enclosed below. 
MPE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
PRESIDENT: Dr. Frances Irwin
6464 Rhodes Ave. St. Louis, MO 63109-3364 314-752-2585 MuPhiip@aol.com 1st VP/EXTENSION OFFICER: Dale D. Griffa 187 Flax Hill Rd. #B4 Norwalk, CT 06854-2849 203-838-6615 DGriffa303@aol.com 2nd VP/COLLEGIATE ADVISER: Dr. Martha MacDonald 8909 Wildridge Dr. Austin, TX 78759-7355 512-345-3399 MFVMAC@aol.com 3rd VP/ALUMNI ADVISER: Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller 2003 Riverview Pl Jonesboro, GA 30238-2232 678-610-7090 ZellerTenor@aol.com 4th VP/MUSIC ADVISER: Prof. David Champion 229 15th St. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-4603 310-545-3442 David@theChampions.com 5th VP/ELIGIBILITY ADVISER: Sr. Martha Steidl Woodland Inn St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876-1099 812-535-4276 home 812-535-5230 office msteidl@smwc.edu EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/TREASURER: Gerri Flynn 4202 Atlantic Ave., Suite 202 Long Beach, CA 90807-2826 Phone 562-424-9799; 1-888-259-1471 Fax: 452-424-9778 mpeieo@aol.com THE TRIANGLE EDITOR: Nancy Laine 3149 Falling Brook San Antonio, TX 78258-4470 210-764-1125 home 210-351-3994 office 210-764-0877 fax TheTriangle@swbell.net  MAREK SZPAKIEWICZ: MPE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER
Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz, born in Lublin, Poland, brought great news from
Cincinnati, Ohio to the Polish community as well as the music world. Mr.
Szpakiewicz won the prestigious Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition,
held in August 6, 2003, by an unanimous final decision by judges. His
repertoire for the competition was: Zoltan Kodalyıs Solo Sonata, Johann
Sebastian Bachıs Suite No.2, Earnest Blochıs "Schelomo," John Coriglianoıs
"Fancy on Bach Air," and Ludwig van Beethovenıs Sonata No.4. The judges
agreed that Mr. Szpakiewicz was "very commanding of the audience and the
instrument," and that "the whole package was simply marvelous."
As the 2003 Competition winner, Marek Szpakiewicz performed three recitals
during Mu Phi Epsilonıs Centennial Convention in Cincinnati. His performance
included works by David Popper, Sergey Rachmaninoff, John Corigliano, and
Zoltan Kodaly. At the Gala Centennial Concert, held on August 9, Mr.
Szpakiewicz got a standing ovation with his excellent performance of Blochıs
"Schelomo" and an unannounced encore "Liebeslied" by Fritz Kreisler.
Mr. Szpakiewicz has already achieved international acclaim as an
distinguished artist. He won recognition from the music world in 1996, as a
finalist in both the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in
Zabreb, Croatia, and the Tansman International Competition in Lodz, Poland.
His work, as a soloist with various orchestras in Europe and in the United
States, has drawn praise from critics, who have described him as "a gifted
player," "with expansive vision and immense authority," and "no technical
limitation."
In his early years, Mr. Szpakiewicz studied with Polish Professors Ryszard
Losakiewicz and Stanislaw Firlej. Among other honors, he has won awards at
the National Cello Competition in Elblag and the Governorıs Scholarship
Prize in Poland. In 1991, he became a scholarship student of Professor
Steven Kates at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland.
The following year, he was awarded the Gabor Rejto Fellowship for studying
at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. In subsequent
years, he won a scholarship to study at the Piatigorsky Seminar in Los
Angeles, where he worked with Nathaniel Rosen and Zera Nelsova.
After completing his Masterıs Degree, Mr. Szpakiewicz is currently working
toward his Doctorate Degree, under the tutelage of Professor Eleonore
Schoenfeld at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. At
present, he plays on a cello made by Sabastien Vuillaume and owned by patron
Krystyna Wydzda.
As a winner of the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition, Mr. Szpakiewicz
was awarded a 2-year contract of nationwide concerts with management. He
will perform with various orchestras in the United States under renowned
conductors, in addition to solo and duo recitals. He starts his concertizing
tour from University of Southern California in October this year.
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