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e-News Mason & Hamlin Prize awarded to Nathan Knutson Cash award presented at NFMC conference August 07, 2007 The Mason & Hamlin piano company recently established The Mason & Hamlin Prize, a cash award given to the winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Young Artist Award – Piano.  The first Mason & Hamlin Prize was awarded at the 2007 NFMC biennial convention in Salt Lake City in June.  Mason & Hamlin’s Artistic Director, Jan Glazier, was on hand to present the award to the winning pianist, Nathan Knutson. Nathan Knutson Mr. Knutson, a student of Paul Barnes at the University of Nebraska School of Music and Antonio Pompa Baldi at the Cleveland Institute of Music, won the Young Artist Award after advancing through a series of local, state and regional competitions conducted under the auspices of the NFMC. The final competition took place during the NFMC’s convention. With a membership of more than 155,000 musicians and non-musicians who love and support the performing arts, NFMC is a non-profit organization and the largest philanthropic musical organization in the world.  Founded in 1898, NFMC has a rich musical heritage, is chartered by the Congress of the United States, and is an NGO member of the United Nations.  In addition to Young Artist - Piano, the NFMC also awards a Young Artist prize in Male Voice, Female Voice and Violin.  In total, the NFMC has over $750,000 in awards and scholarships available to young musicians from all age groups. “We’re pleased and proud to establish the Mason & Hamlin Prize in conjunction with the National Federation of Music Clubs,” commented Ms. Glazier. “Mason & Hamlin and the NFMC share the same beliefs and goals, as well as a deep commitment to music.  We hope to reward their outstanding young artists---gifted pianists, like the wonderful Nathan Knutson---with the Mason & Hamlin Prize for many years to come.  "After I presented Nathan with his prize he took the microphone to make a few remarks," Ms. Glazier added.  "To my surprise, the first thing he said---after thank you---was that when he was in music school he always tried to use the practice rooms that had the Mason & Hamlin pianos in them, and that when he bought his own piano, again he chose a Mason & Hamlin!  It's a very nice coincidence that the first Mason & Hamlin Prize was given to a Mason & Hamlin owner!"  For more information about the NFMC's Young Artist program please visit its website.