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This article, written by Richard Taylor, originally appeared on the Michigan State University Undergraduate Education web site.

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Aidan Binford, a 2024 Michigan State University graduate, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Richard Lee Featherstone Endowed Prize. 

The prize is given to the most outstanding MSU graduating senior, as determined by the Featherstone Nomination Committee, to be used for future growth and development, travel, graduate study, or meditation. The graduating senior must meet the following criteria:

1. The award recipient must be a Michigan State University senior, majoring in any discipline, who is expected to graduate during 2024.
2. The award recipient will exhibit an open, curious, creative approach to education and ideas, and intellectual ingenuity will be evident. More weight will be given to intellectual curiosity and innovation than to grades attained, although a cumulative GPA above 3.0 is preferred.
3. The award recipient will have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering her/his own progress and in enriching the lives of others. The recipient will also have demonstrated innovation and creativity over their career at Michigan State University. A commitment to community service should be evident.

Aidan graduated this past April 2024 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Music Performance – Bassoon, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with a minor in Documentary Production. Throughout his educational career he has seamlessly interwoven his passions for music, journalism, and documentary production to create a unique and rewarding academic experience.

As a bassoonist, Aidan is an accomplished performer having been involved with College of Music ensembles including the Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, Opera Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Concert Band. Through his music education, he also demonstrated an interest in music scholarship and research, focusing his research project on the bassoon repertoire of the Eastern Bloc. This work showcased how he effortlessly weaves together music and scholarship, a foundation which he hopes to build on throughout his career.  

Aidan was also a member of the Spartan Marching Band, where he performed as an alto saxophone and as a member of the Spartan Drumline. Performing with the marching band created memorable learning experiences and numerous unforgettable opportunities, like performing during halftime at the Georgia Peach Bowl and showcasing his talents at the Mid Europe Music Festival in Schladming, Austria.

Additionally, Aidan is accomplished in his journalism and documentary production studies. “I have found documentary films to be a great opportunity to synergize my twin passions of musicianship and journalism,” Binford said. “The two skills have developed together, with my growth as a musician allowing me to create better musical scores, and my study of film music improving my ability to tell a story through music. I seek to use my abilities as a writer, producer, editor, and musician to continue to collaborate with fellow filmmakers.”

In his work with Dr. Geri Zeldes, Aidan had the opportunity to hone his craft of filmmaking and storytelling while also learning how this can complement his skills as a composer and musician. He has a sincere passion and understanding for how his complementary crafts can work together to illuminate the important social issues of our time.

Aidan also spent his time outside of the classroom in service to his community and other students. From private lessons to teaching, he has an invested interest in the next generation of musicians. “I envision myself as a college professor, with my own studio of bassoonists, teaching them to think analytically, critically, and impactfully about music,” Binford says.

When asked more specifically about his future, Aidan stated, “What I need in life is a balance between creative elements, research and education. I think I need a combination of all three in my life to feel like what I am doing is very meaningful.” He aspires to pursue graduate studies in music performance and musicology and seeks to delve deeper into topics such as the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to Latin music and the intersection of protest music in South America. 

“I appreciate having a physical campus environment with the trees, the nature. All of that speaks to me,” Aidan said as he reflected on his time at MSU. “Having this environment that makes you feel grounded when you’re in a stressful environment such as school, is criminally underrated. I really haven’t found another campus that spoke to me the way that MSU does.” Ultimately, Aidan’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of knowledge.

As for being the 2024 recipient of the Featherstone Prize, Aidan noted, “The physical award itself, I’m incredibly honored and appreciative. But I didn’t do the work just for the award. The biggest reward was all the little things that came along with it. The unforgettable relationships and experiences along the way have made the journey most rewarding.”

The Richard Lee Featherstone Endowed Prize was created in 1986 by a group of MSU College of Education alumni to celebrate Dr. Richard Lee Featherstone’s life and contributions to scholarship, research and leadership.