Masterson A Finalist For National Music Award
Dr. Sarah Masterson, associate professor of piano and music theory at Newberry College, has been chosen as a finalist for the 2025 Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of Music. The award, which recognizes the best performances of American music by ensembles and individual artists worldwide, was for her recording of Philippa Schuyler’s “White Nile Suite” from Masterson’s 2024 album, Travelogue: Philippa Schuyler’s Music for Piano. Winners will be announced in the fall.
A classically trained pianist praised for her technical mastery, Masterson was inspired by Philippa Schuyler’s neglected life story to embark on a multi-year project to research and reconstruct Schuyler’s unique piano music. Thus far, that journey has produced two albums –Seven Pillars of Wisdom and Travelogue – and a book, Snapshots of Forgotten Adventures: Rediscovering the Piano Music of Philippa Schuyler, exploring Schuyler’s music in more depth.
“It’s an honor to be a finalist for this award, and I’m excited that Schuyler’s music is finally gaining the recognition it deserves,” said Masterson. “For the College’s Department of Music, I think it’s beneficial to our students’ education to have professors who are actively performing and researching.”
Masterson joined the Newberry College faculty in 2014 and serves as coordinator of music theory, director of the music department’s social media, and founding artistic director of the W. Darr Wise Piano Competition. Her research focuses on the work of 20th-century American women composers. Masterson earned her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Connecticut, with a major concentration in piano performance and a minor area of emphasis in music theory.
“Dr. Sarah Masterson excels as both a scholar and musician. Her groundbreaking research on composer and pianist Philippa Schuyler, which includes a book and album recordings of Schuyler’s piano works, has brought renewed attention to this historically overlooked figure,” said Dr. Jonathan Hall, chair of the Department of Music and assistant dean of the Division of Arts, Education, Humanities, & Social Sciences. “Through her work, Masterson has introduced Schuyler’s music and legacy to a new generation.”
To learn more about Newberry College’s music program, visit newberry.edu/academics/areas-of-study/music.
Dr. Sarah Masterson, associate professor of piano and music theory at Newberry College, has been chosen as a finalist for the 2025 Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of Music. The award, which recognizes the best performances of American music by ensembles and individual artists worldwide, was for her recording of Philippa Schuyler’s “White Nile Suite” from Masterson’s 2024 album, Travelogue: Philippa Schuyler’s Music for Piano. Winners will be announced in the fall.
A classically trained pianist praised for her technical mastery, Masterson was inspired by Philippa Schuyler’s neglected life story to embark on a multi-year project to research and reconstruct Schuyler’s unique piano music. Thus far, that journey has produced two albums –Seven Pillars of Wisdom and Travelogue – and a book, Snapshots of Forgotten Adventures: Rediscovering the Piano Music of Philippa Schuyler, exploring Schuyler’s music in more depth.
“It’s an honor to be a finalist for this award, and I’m excited that Schuyler’s music is finally gaining the recognition it deserves,” said Masterson. “For the College’s Department of Music, I think it’s beneficial to our students’ education to have professors who are actively performing and researching.”
Masterson joined the Newberry College faculty in 2014 and serves as coordinator of music theory, director of the music department’s social media, and founding artistic director of the W. Darr Wise Piano Competition. Her research focuses on the work of 20th-century American women composers. Masterson earned her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Connecticut, with a major concentration in piano performance and a minor area of emphasis in music theory.
“Dr. Sarah Masterson excels as both a scholar and musician. Her groundbreaking research on composer and pianist Philippa Schuyler, which includes a book and album recordings of Schuyler’s piano works, has brought renewed attention to this historically overlooked figure,” said Dr. Jonathan Hall, chair of the Department of Music and assistant dean of the Division of Arts, Education, Humanities, & Social Sciences. “Through her work, Masterson has introduced Schuyler’s music and legacy to a new generation.”
To learn more about Newberry College’s music program, visit newberry.edu/academics/areas-of-study/music.
