Awadagin Pratt in to play in Sanford-Hill Piano Series Oct. 25

Western Washington University’s Sanford-Hill Piano Series will begin its 2011-2012 season with a concert featuring Awadagin Pratt at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

The evening program will feature works by Liszt, Chopin, and more.

Winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition and recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Awadagin Pratt has performed throughout the world as both a soloist and conductor. He has been featured on the “Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Sesame Street,” and has been invited to perform on several occasions at the White House.

Pratt currently serves as associate professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

In conjunction with his Sanford-Hill Piano Series recital, Pratt will conduct a master class for young musicians from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, in the PAC Concert Hall. The master class is free and open to the public.

Tickets for the concert are available through the WWU Box Office and range in price from $9 to $24. A limited selection of tickets will also be available at Village Books and the Community Food Co-op.

WWU Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and one hour prior to the performance. For individual tickets or disability accommodations, contact the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or visit http://www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Now in its ninth season, the Sanford-Hill Piano Series has been renamed to coincide with exciting changes, including the growing number of distinctive pianists presented by the series and a new Steinway concert grand piano for performances.

For more information, please visit http://www.wwu.edu/sanfordhill or call the WWU Department of Music at (360) 650-3130.