Piano recitals

Even though the outdoor temperatures have been unseasonably cool this spring, many hearts have been warmed by the fine music of the young pianists from our area.

The annual spring piano recital by the students of Barb Root took place on Sunday, April 29, at Redeemer Lutheran in Kingston. Three weeks later, the Lake Area Music Teachers Forum presented its 26th annual Honors Recitals. The first took place on Friday, May 17, at Gethsemane Lutheran in Dassel, and two were held Sunday afternoon, May 19, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. Sixty-eight students in total took part in these Honors programs.

Pianists from our area performing were Chad Anderson, Shelby Anderson, Sydney Ash-brook, Ellen Becker, Bryant Beckermann, Kaysha Becker-mann, Katie Brugger, Andrew Dingmann, Erin Dingmann, Matthew Dingmann, Carmen Dischinger, Kimberly Gross, Heidi Hendrickson, Karen Hendrickson, Kristen Hendrickson, Jennifer Hilsgen, Tyson Laakonen, Rachel Lahr, Julia Messer, Aryn Peterson, Aimee Peterson, Coralie Peterson, Janina Peterson, Morgan Peterson, Jocelyn Salmen, John Tiemann, Linnea Tiemann, Ryan Tiemann, Stephen Tiemann, Jillian Yanish and Hannah Zipoy.

The students were recognized for earning various Forum ribbon awards. These represented achievement in such areas as memorization, music reading, public performance, accompanying, and significant musical progress. Recognition was also given for participation in the following programs:

o Federation Junior Festival (Andrew Dingmann, Erin Gilpatrick, Shannon Harmala, Tyson Laakonen, Rachel Lahr, Coralie Peterson, Morgan Peterson, Jocelyn Salmen.)

o MMTA Contest: District (Kimberly Gross; State: Coralie Peterson-W)

o MMTA Piano Exam (Level 3 – Carmen Dischinger; Level 6 – Coralie Peterson; Level 8 – Kimberly Gross).

o MMTA Theory Exam (Level 1-Shannon Harmala, Aimee Peterson, Coralie Peterson, Linnea Tiemann; Level 3-Kimberly Gross).

Congratulations to all of these fine musicians for a job well done!