Pueblo -- For the second straight year, a Colorado State University-Pueblo music student has won the Colorado State Music Teachers Association composition contest. CSU-Pueblo junior Jason Wilson, Pueblo (East High School), captured first place in the Young Artist category for the second year in a row. Senior Jared Hunt, Montrose, earned runner-up honors for his piano composition, "Dream of an Angel." Both students are under the instruction of CSU-Pueblo music professor James Duncan.

A double major in music and English, Wilson now moves to an eight-state regional competition of the Music Teachers National Association Jan. 16-18 in Boulder in hopes of qualifying for the national conference in Kansas City, Mo., March 27-31. The national winner earns $1,000 and an opportunity to perform at the national conference. The state winners also will perform as part of the CSMTA conference next June. Judges for this year's state competition were: Todd Goodman, owner, Wrong Note Media Publishing Co.; Dave Hanson, Lamont School of Music, University of Denver; and John Drumheller, University of Colorado School of Music, Boulder.

According to Wilson, his winning guitar composition, "Nuance du color" (serenade per chitarra or serenade for guitar) was inspired by a scene from the movie, "English Patient" and captures the personal struggles he has experienced since losing his father to cancer in 1998.

"Nuance du Color" is about the hues of color, the colors of emotion. The piece is like a big summary of my life," said Wilson.

Wilson refers to composing music as "tone painting" because it allows him to convey
something without speaking. Wilson, who frequently carries a notebook and tape recorder with him to record moments, thoughts, and emotions, said it took a while for the piece to develop. In fact, he turned in only half of the composition at the contest deadline and now has nearly 150 measures of unheard music written.

Besides a love of music, Wilson is an avid mountain climber and guide. Both his interest and success in music theory and composition has increased over the past three years, according to music professor James Duncan

Hunt is a music major with a piano emphasis, but also is a talented percussionist with an intense interest in jazz.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.