Luther senior Erin Persick to present recital

DECORAH, IA (04/16/2013)(readMedia)-- Erin Angeline Persick, a Luther College senior from Robins, Iowa, will present the Alan R. and Sally J. Brudos Family Opera Prize recital at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, in the Noble Recital Hall of the Jenson-Noble Music Hall on the Luther Campus.

A reception will follow the performance. Both the recital and reception are open to the public with no charge for admission.

Persick is the 2012-13 recipient of the Brudos Family Opera Prize. She will perform

works by Haydn, Respighi, Poulenc, Rachmaninoff and Previn.

Persick, the daughter of John and Ann Persick, is majoring in music at Luther. She is a

2009 graduate of Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. A voice student of David Judisch and Jessica Paul, Luther professors of music, Persick is the 11th recipient of the Brudos Prize. Paul will be collaborating with Persick on piano for the recital.

Presented annually to a Luther senior, the Brudos Prize was established by Alan R. and Sally J. Brudos to support students of outstanding ability and achievement who are preparing for careers in opera performance. The prize includes a $5,000 award. The purpose of the award is to assist talented senior students with the extraordinary expenses involved in the preparation and pursuit of careers in opera performance. Selection is based on the student's quality of vocal performance and promise of an operatic career. The Brudos Prize is the largest award given for excellence in music at Luther. Alan Brudos, a 1955 Luther graduate and regent emeritus, is former chair of the Luther Board of Regents.

Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation with six choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and nearly 1,000 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. More than 350 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, church music and performance.