Piano students present recital, receive certificates

Students of Ruth Harris who performed in the end-of-the-year recital May 24 included (first row, l-r) Morgan Sherrer, Will Price, Zachary Hill, Alex Thomas, Christie Lawrence, Lykah Mora, and Samantha Wheatley; (second row) Anna Beggs, Ciara Meadows, and Jake Derry; (third row) Joey Lawrence, Andrea Hill, Katie Trimm, Christina Albertson, and Brittany Guin; (fourth row) Joseph Greer, Catie Greer, Andrew Wilbur, Troy Colvard, Adam Rutkowski, and Ben Danner; (fifth row) Ian Coe, Genevieve Coe, Michal Wright, and Emily Beggs. Miss Harris is on the far right. Startting at Piano students from the studio of Ruth Harris ended the school year with a variety of outstanding accomplishments, all highlighted with certificatesand honorary mementoes presented at the end of the annual recital, held May 24 at the First Baptist Church.

Twenty-fivestudents performed at the recital which included 14 duets (four hands at one piano) and 44 solos. Pieces played were from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods of music history, with a particular emphasis on piano solos composed by Robert D. Vandall, a contemporary American composer.

Certificatespresented at the end of the program were in three general areas: Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Piano, Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) State Theory Exams, and GMEA Performance Evaluations (festival.) All of these events were held in May of this year.

The following students were honored with certificatesfor winning or placing in GMEA All-State Piano:

With 27 duet teams competing from the entire state, Winners Recital Honors in grades 10-12 went to Ian Coe and Genevieve Coe, and this team performed in Savannah at the GMEA In-Service Conference in January. Also in grades 10-12, the team of Christina Albertson and Troy Colvard won in the Master Class division to perform in Savannah.

In Piano Solo, Christina Albertson placed fifth in grade 11, and performed in the Master Class in Savannah.

Other honors went to Emily Beggs, grade 7, Top Ten and Alternate to the convention. In grade 10, Genevieve Coe received honorable mention, or top fourteen. Since it was the seventh consecutive year that Ian Coe won GMEA All-State in Piano Duet (with one year being Piano Trio), and performing in Savannah all seven years, he was given a silver and engraved book mark, a memento documenting this fact.

GMTA gives certificatesto students who go to the University of Georgia and pass the State Theory Exam of 100 Questions. This event took place on Saturday, May 10. Seven students participated and all passed. Four students received certificateswith the seal of "Outstanding Theorist" (score from 90-99). They were: Level A: Emily Beggs, 99, Joseph Greer, 99, and Catie Greer, 92. For Level D, Genevieve Coe received a 94. Students receiving certificatesstamped "Excellence in Theory" (80-89) were Christina Albertson, 88, and Troy Colvard, 82. Ian Coe received a certificatefor Level D marked "Achievement in Theory."

The third area in which certificateswere awarded was for the Piano Festival (or Performance Evaluations.) The 10th District of GMEA held this annual event in Washington at the First Baptist Church on May 3. Ruth Harris served as the chairman for this year. Students were judged in piano duet and prepared performance including piano solos. Two solos were required from memory, with one requirement from the Contemporary period of music history and the second of the student's choice. Duets were performed with music. Technical accomplishments of scales and cadences in the keys of their pieces were also heard under the prepared performance solo division, and a separate rating was also given in sight reading for Levels II-IV.

Students who earned a rating of I (Superior, 95-100); and/or II (Excellent, 87-94) in Duets, Prepared Performance of Sight Reading received Certificatesof Honor from GMEA.

The following duet teams received certificatesfor ratings of Superior: Alex Thomas and Lykah Mora; Christina Albertson and Samantha Wheatley; Andrea Hill and Zachary Hill; Emily Beggs and Anna Beggs; Joey Lawrence and Christie Lawrence; Ciara Meadows and Jake Derry; Adam Rutkowski and Morgan Sherrer; Ian Coe and Andrew Wilbur; Christina Albertson and Katie Trimm; Christian Albertson and Brittany Guin; Joseph Greer and Catie Greer; Ian Coe and Genevieve Coe; and Troy Colvard and Christina Albertson. The rating of Excellent was received by Morgan Sherrer and Will Price.

Students who received certificatesfor a Superior in Prepared Performance were Christina Albertson (receiving the only I+ of the day;) Joey Lawrence, Christie Lawrence, Alex Thomas, Lykah Mora, Catie Greer, Joseph Greer, Ciara Meadows, Jake Derry, Samantha Wheatley, Brittany Guin, Genevieve Coe, Emily Beggs, Anna Beggs, Andrea Hill, and Zachary Hill. Students receiving an Excellent in Prepared Performance were Katie Trimm and Andrew Wilbur. Troy Colvard played for comments only.

Sight Reading ratings are included on Prepared Performance certificates.Students earning a Superior were Katie Trimm, Joey Lawrence, Christie Lawrence, Joseph Greer, Brittany Guin, Christina Albertson, Genevieve Coe, Andrea Hill, and Zachary Hill. Students receiving Excellent were Jake Derry, Emily Beggs, Anna Beggs, Will Price, and Troy Colvard who received an Excellent-plus.

Other appreciative mementoes went to Ben Danner for performing in a recital after only 11 lessons; and Michal Wright as she graduates from high school.

Intermission break at the recital was a great treat with a beautiful table spread. This included a large variety of delicious food which was served with punch. This event was coordinated by Mrs. Teri Bridges and Mrs. Franny Robinson and all was enjoyed by students, parents, relatives, and friends attending the recital.

Following the presentation of certificates,Mrs. Robinson extended thoughtful words of appreciation to the teacher, Miss Harris, and gave her a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers with a lovely gift bag from her students.