Grant Jackson has portrayed a host of characters in his stage time through the years as a singer and ballet dancer.
He has portrayed everyone from straight-shooting Johnny Cash to the heroic Nutcracker in varied shows and concerts. On Saturday, he took on the role of something of a gold-lusting pirate — and brought home the bounty of a $3,500 college scholarship and first place in the Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence of the 35th Annual Brown Music Competition in Columbus.
That was part of his presentation of R. Ritchie Robertson’s “The Jolly Roger” tune at First Christian Church.
“I even got one or two people to laugh,” said Jackson, a Columbus North High School senior under the instruction of local vocal teacher Jenny Heichelbech. “All three of the judges said on their comment sheets that they liked the way that I involved the audience.”
Jackson is considering attending Indiana University, the University of Indianapolis or DePauw University in the fall.
In the Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence, multi-talented pianist Erica Song’s interpretation of Frédéric Copin’s “Impromptu, Op. 51, No. 3” earned first place and a $3,500 college scholarship. Song was among rare students competing in both instrumental and vocal categories. Judges complimented her especially on her musical expression.
“One of the things I really strive for is to convey a lot of emotion through music,” said Song, a North senior.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
