a close up of piano keys

CALGARY STUDENT TAKES $5,000 TOP PRIZE

Edmonton, AB – On Friday, May 16, 2008 – after two days of competition – Daniel Fung (24 years old), from Calgary, AB, was awarded the $5,000 top prize in the Shean Piano Competition. He has also won the opportunity to play with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at a future date. Daniel was one of 6 finalists chosen from a field of 23 entries to compete in the 2008 Shean Piano Competition on May 15 and 16.

The complete results of the Competition were as follows:

  1. First Place and $5,000 – Daniel Fung
  2. Second Place (TIE) and $3,000 each – Devon Joiner and Vicki Ning Wang
  3. Fourth Place and $1,000 – Christopher Bagan
  4. Fifth Place and $1,000 – Chad Heltzel

Tina Chong, the sixth chosen finalist, had to withdraw due to medical reasons.

Vicki Ning Wang also won $1,000 for the Best Performance of the Test Piece – “Alborada del gracioso” from Miroirs by Maurice Ravel.

The adjudicators for this year’s competition were Angela Cheng, Jane Coop, Richard Roberts and David Hoyt. 

The 2009 Shean Strings Competition takes place May 13 and 15, 2009 in Edmonton with the top prize being increased to $8,000.

The deadline for applications to the Shean String Competition 2009 is December 1, 2008.

The Shean Strings and Piano Competition

The Shean Competition for Strings and Piano was made possible by a generous grant to the Edmonton Community Foundation from Ranald and Vera Shean in 1996.

This competition, their gift to talented young musicians of today, is a lasting testimonial to their dedication to music.

Vera Shean was a gifted violinist and pianist. In the early 1940’s she performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of Ranald Shean, who was also the concertmaster. For many years she was heard in recital, in concert and as an accompanist, on the CBC. Ranald also conducted the Edmonton Youth Orchestra.

In 2002, Vera received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal in recognition of her years of service to the music in Edmonton. Both are members of the City’s Cultural Hall of Fame.

The Shean’s achieved their greatest satisfaction from teaching. In 1996, they established the Edmonton Conservatory of Music that later merged with the Alberta College Conservatory of Music. As well, they were active in the Music Academy program at Mount Royal College. Then, for many years, their home was their studio, always open to students. It was a home away from home for eager young musicians not only for the lessons but to gather, practice, concertize and discuss the music they love.

They will be missed.

The competition’s inaugural year featured strings and has alternated with piano since then.