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April 16, 2010

graduate student accepted to renowned conservatory

A University of Louisiana at Monroe graduate student of music has already begun making his mark in the world of music.

Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honorary Theatre Society, recently notified graduate student Charles Pridgen of Monroe that his composition was selected as the society's toast song, an integral component of their tradition and history.

Interestingly, Pridgen had not ever entered a composition in a contest of this type ever before and mainly did it just for the experience.

“I didn’t expect to win but when I talked to the president of Alpha Psi Omega, she said it was very representative of the theatre and what the society represents, so I was happy I was able to come up with something for them,” he said.

Pridgen will receive a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance degree in May, after having received his Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from . He was accepted for admission to the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory to begin work on a Doctor of Musical Arts degree this fall.

Pridgen served as principal alto saxophone in the Wind Ensemble for two years, and as a graduate assistant with the Sound of Today marching band. He also performs with the perennially popular Jazz Ensemble.

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