DECATUR, Ill. — Millikin University’s School of Music celebrated one of its most prestigious student performance traditions on March 28, 2026, as soprano Morgan Reckamp was named the winner of the 2026 Hollis Prize Competition following a night of standout performances in Kaeuper Hall.
Now in its 24th year, the Hollis Prize Competition is a signature event within Millikin’s College of Fine Arts, designed to showcase the University’s top student musicians while encouraging them to reach the highest level of artistic excellence.
Reckamp earned the top honor after delivering a compelling vocal performance, accompanied by pianist Jun Hong “Ivan” Jiang, in a program that demonstrated both technical mastery and expressive artistry. She was selected from a competitive group of finalists that also included percussionist Eric Brindle and flutist Erica Edwards.
The evening featured 20-minute performances from each finalist, culminating a multi-stage selection process that began weeks earlier.
Following deliberation by a panel of distinguished adjudicators, Reckamp was announced as the 2026 Hollis Prize winner. Brindle was named first runner-up, and Edwards earned second runner-up honors.
“The Hollis Prize is one of the most cherished events in the School of Music calendar because it encourages our best students to rise to the height of their musical potential,” said Brian Justison, Director of the School of Music, in remarks during the event. “It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate their individual achievements as artists.”
Along with winning an honorarium, Reckamp will perform a winner’s recital at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill., on Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m., continuing a longstanding partnership that provides students with additional professional performance opportunities beyond campus.
The Hollis Prize Competition is made possible through the support of Dr. Kimm Hollis ’72, whose commitment to music education and student achievement has helped sustain the event for more than two decades.
“It is always a competition with spectacular performance, and it is Millikin music at its best. Three stellar students with excellent applied teachers,” Hollis said. “I look forward to it each year.”
Through events like the Hollis Prize, Millikin’s School of Music continues to exemplify the University’s Performance Learning approach, giving students real-world opportunities to refine their craft, perform at a high level, and prepare for professional careers in music.
