MasterWorks Festival wraps up first year at Campbellsville University

by Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications

Campbellsville, KY (08/10/2023) — One of the premier music festivals in the United States has completed its inaugural year at its new home, Campbellsville University.

Campbellsville University hosted the MasterWorks Festival for its 27th year. The festival brought 103 students from 24 states and five countries for a month of classical arts training centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Festival included 45 faculty, six guest artists and seven staff members.

"Some of the highlights include the wonderful relationships made, the hours of music making, growing closer to God, and several salvations," Chip Hill, executive director of the MasterWorks Festival, said. "Campbellsville has a gift of hospitality that made the festival participants feel at home," Hill said.

Over 28 days, the festival offered 43 events, all free to the public, including concerts in neighboring cities and a Fourth of July celebration at Miller Park in Campbellsville.

These events also included student recitals, faculty recitals, masterclasses, repertoire classes, chamber music concerts, orchestra concerts, worship services, a solo honors recital, a concerto competition, and a piano competition.

The MasterWorks Festival began in 1997 at Houghton College in New York as a ministry of the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship (CPAF).

"Quite simply, MasterWorks is one of the premier music festivals in our nation, and we are proud to host this celebrated organization that shares our mission for the very best in music and faith," Dr. Joseph Hopkins, president of Campbellsville University, said. "We are thrilled that they have decided to continue at CU, and we look forward to a rich relationship over the coming years."

The MasterWorks Festival offers an Orchestra Program, a Piano Program and a String Intensive Study Program (SISP), allowing up-and-coming musicians to work alongside experienced music faculty.

Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music at Campbellsville University, said the MasterWorks Festival proved to be a "remarkable musical occasion." "The music teachers demonstrated exceptional talent and served as role models for the students," Cunha said. "The young generation of music students showcased their immense potential, passion and pursuit of greatness."

Hope Welsh, who just completed her fourth year as a participant at MasterWorks, said her MasterWorks experience this year was the best she's ever had.

"It was a blessing to reunite with some of my dearest friends and equally wonderful to create new ones that I'll be able to see in future years," Welsh said.

"I cannot wait to spend the next year continuing to cultivate my faith so that I might return to MasterWorks with new aspects of Christ to experience and enjoy alongside the most wonderful and beloved community I have ever had the privilege of being a part of."

"Over the years, my time at the festival has developed into a spiritual vacation to develop my relationship with the Lord."

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

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