Select Page

Mason Lee, a University of Wisconsin Oshkosh junior with a music performance and composition major and an emphasis in instrumental performance, was awarded first prize in the 2016 Portland Percussion Group’s National Call for Scores Contest.

His original musical composition Of Light for marimba quartet was awarded.

“I wasn’t expecting much honestly,” Lee said about submitting his composition. “But when they got back to me and said I won first place, it was very exciting.”

Lee was awarded a $500 cash prize, his piece will be performed by the Portland Percussion Group in their concert on June 22—Lee will receive a recording of the concert and a publishing contract with Tapspace, a sheet music publishing company.

“I’m still in shock from it,” he said.  “I never thought I would even be considered for it.”

Lee said Of Light is based off the color spectrum.

“I assigned harmonies to each color and I wrote it so each blends together,” he said.

Lee said his composition is all original thoughts and designs. He said he does appreciate the guidance from his professors throughout the process.

To create Of Light, Lee said was inspired by a podcast, something he regularly listens to.

One episode in particular, titled Colors, influenced his work. The cast was about ancestral people and their inability to see as many colors as most humans are able to see today. He then thought of a way to musically represent colors, and came up with Of Light— the award winning piece.

Lee is a member of the percussion group Naker Society on campus and a proud student in the University’s music department.

 

Learn more: