Scearce Wins Prestigious Sackler Prize

Dr. J. Mark Scearce, Director of the Music Department at NC State, has been awarded the 2009 International Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Composition.

Scearce's New CD:
The 99 Beautiful Names of God

The 99 Beautiful Names of God are the names by which Muslims regard God. Composer J. Mark Scearce, director of the NC State Music Department, was inspired to interpret these names into music from a desire to heal. He created 99 Beautiful Names in order to help a pianist friend, ill from cancer, by giving her a set of small pieces that she could play to bring her back to her instrument and through it, back to health. Performed by pianist John Cheek. The album is available online or at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh.