The Hollis Prize

First awarded in 2003, the Hollis Prize represents the highest form of recognition bestowed upon a vocal or instrumental performer at Millikin University. The Hollis prize is unique among undergraduate music competitions in light of its recital performance format and rigorous audition process.

Students compete in a semi-final round in order for the chance to compete before a live audience in the final round event. The winner of the final round receives a monetary award of $2000 and an opportunity to perform a solo recital at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin; runners up each receive a cash award of $500.

The annual competition is made possible by Dr. C. Kimm Hollis, a 1972 Millikin graduate and retired department chair, Professor of Music, and Artist in Residence Emeritus at Hanover College in Hanover, IN.

This year's Winner:

Max DiPasquale is a senior music education major currently studying saxophone with Dr. Perry Rask. Max is the son of two Millikin alumni and is from Belleville, Illinois. He has been involved with many instrumental ensembles at Millikin, including lead positions in Saxophone Quartet I, Jazz Band I, Advanced Combo and the Latin Jazz Project. Further, Max has served as saxophone section leader of the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble since his junior year. He was recognized as an “Outstanding Sophomore” in 2020 by Pi Kappa Lambda and has also earned an “Outstanding Soloist” award at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. In 2021, he earned second place in the Hollis Prize competition and was named a Presser Scholar for his work as a junior instrumentalist. Max is in the Honors Program and a member of the Pi Kappa Phi honors society. He plans to teach at a school “of need” after graduation and intends to pursue graduate school.

 

Winners of previous Hollis Prize awards are:

2021
August Shaw
Piano Performance Major
Student of Dr. Silvan Negrutiu

2020
Cancelled due to pandemic.

2019
Jorie Clark
Vocal Music & Performance
Student of Justin John Moniz

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018
John Robinson
Trombone Performance
Student of Professor Gary Shaw

2017
Madeline Moylan
Flute Performance
Student of Associate Professor Laurie Glencross

2016
Brock Gwaltney
Piano Performance
Student of Assistant Professor Silvan Negrutiu

2015
Christopher Raymond
Bassoon Performance
Student of Professor Stephen Duncan

2014
Adam Blakey
Saxophone Performance
Student of Professor Perry Rask

2013
Emily O. Schneider
Flute Performance
Student of Associate Professor Laurie Glencross

2012
Aaron Villarreal
Percussion Performance
Student of Professor Brian Justison and Assistant Professor Jeremy Brunk

2011
Stacey Weidner
Piano Performance
Student of Associate Professor W. Ronald YaDeau

2010
Stephanie M. Doctor
Saxophone Performance
Student of Professor Perry Rask

2009
Rachel E. Weiss
Percussion Performance
Student of Professor Brian Justison and Assistant Professor Jeremy Brunk

2008
Jessica Connor
Clarinet Performance
Student of Dr. Solomon Baer

2007
Douglas J. Neff
Saxophone Performance
Student of Professor Perry Rask

2006
Michael P. Fenoglio
Saxophone Performance
Student of Professor Perry Rask

2005
Angela D. Kepley
Percussion Performance
Student of Assistant Professor Jeremy Brunk and Professor Brian Justison

2004
Megan Timpe Engelhardt
Percussion Performance
Student of Professor Brian Justison

2003
Adelaide Muir Trombetta
Vocal Performance
Student of Associate Professor Helen M. Gibbons