CONNOR AUSTELL

ATHENS, Wis. — Connor Austell, son of Kim (Silfven) and Forrest Austell of South Haven, Mich. and grandson of Al and Gerry Silfven of Iron River, was the recipient of two prestigious awards based upon his research for his dissertation.

The University of Georgia-Athens graduate music student’s research focused on the life and music of Thomas Wiggins, or “Blind Tom” as he was then called. The project was called “Discovering Thomas ‘Blind Tom’ Wiggins, the Composer” and included the preparation and performance of an album of his music.

“Blind Tom” was born into slavery in 1849 in Columbus, Ga. Although blind since birth, he displayed an uncanny ability to play and compose music, and his masters encouraged and helped him to develop this talent, from which they profited.

Wiggins continued in the service of his masters even after his freedom through the emancipation proclamation. His compositions were transcribed by persons retained by those who managed his work.

The Wilson Center for Humanities and Arts Advisory Board awarded Austell a Graduate Research Award of $1,250 for his project. In addition, he was named recipient of the Janelle Padget Knight Graduate Award, which only goes to the top ranked recipient of the Wilson Center’s Graduate Research Award.

The university noted that this is a “significant honor.”

Austell will graduate in May with a doctor of musical arts degree with emphasis on piano performance.