Graham Stewart '81, MS '01, director of alumni relations, competed in the International Musical Whistling Competition held in Louisburg, North Carolina, April 23-25 and took third place.
He competed against a field of more than 30 accomplished whistlers from around the world. For the preliminary round he performed Hoagy Carmichael's Stormy Weather as well as The Jewel Song from Gounod's Faust. For the finals his popular selection was My Foolish Heart, and for the classical selection he whistled Care Nome, Gilda's aria from Verdi's Rigoletto.
An avid whistler since he was eight, Graham is a 1981 graduate of Ithaca's School of Music with a degree in vocal performance. The news release from the competition is below.
Special Worldwide News Release
Louisburg, N.C. -- The 31st International Whistlers Convention, a source of musical whistling, concerts, schools, and museum announced the winners for first, second, and third places on Saturday, April 24, 2004.
Male adult first place International Grand Champion is Geert Chatrou from Holland (The Netherlands); second place is Steven Herbst of New York City, NY; third place is Graham Stewart from Ithaca, NY.
Female adult first place Grand Champion is Sandra Henzler of Fort Collins, Colorado; second place Carole Kaufman of Pasadena, California; and third place Phyllis Heil of Hickory, North Carolina.
Teenage male Grand Champion is Cal Fenwick from Ontario, Canada, and teenage female Grand Champion is Malia French from West Jordan, Utah.
Childrens' Grand Champion is Emily Edwards, Louisburg, North Carolina. Second place went to Quenna Stewart of Ithaca, NY
Entertainer of the Year Awards are Steven Herbst (mentioned above) and Carole Skinner, Miller, South Dakota. Hall of Fame Award winner, the Convention's highest honor was to Patty Ediger of Dayton, Oregon.
For more details call 919-496-4771 or 919-496-1191.
Website: International Whistlers' Convention
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/2004042710531498