WMTA Hartman Piano Competition and NVMTA Sonata Festival

Final ride on a school bus is coming up in a few days. It is quite noticeable that students cannot wait to hang up their backpacks after long and productive school year. Field Days and Picnics have brought much needed chance for our children to play games and have fun on the playground.

NVMTA Sonata Festival

First Round winners- Sophia, Nicole, Charlotte and Gaby

Honors- Nicole and Gaby

WMTA Hartman Competition

Nicole-3rd place

Sophia-3rd place

Gaby3rd place.

 Gabrielle is not only a dedicated pianist and cellist, she is also a very gifted artist. This year her artwork  has received a recognition on a county level; Gaby's bookmark design has won the first place and will be published and shared at all Fairfax County Schools, way to go, Gaby!

Performances for this year have been accomplished, now it is time to relax and explore new repertoire for next year. 

Honors Concerts at Woodlands

 During the month of May, Springfield Music Club held its Honors Concerts at the Woodlands. After performing, students spent some time talking to residents. SMC awarded beautiful certificates to everyone. Cookies and lemonade were added bonus to this lovely event.

                                              Sophia, Nicole, Katherine and Helen

NVMTA Piano Duet Competition, 2013

It was an extraordinary day for everyone, indeed. Beautiful playing and lovely weather will make this day very memorable for our studio.

 Level I (age 8 and under)

Nicole and Sophia- 1^st place

Level II (age 9-10)

Lucy and Cindy- 1^st place

Level IIIA (age 11)

Angus and Eli- 1^st place

Level IIIB (age 12-13)

Maggie and Charlotte- 1^st place

Nicole said, “Playing duets is fun because You get to make new friends.  Playing in a competition isn't as scary when you have a partner.  When you win it's twice as fun as wining by yourself."

Applause for Nicole

   

     Nicole Papenfuss, second grader, won 2^nd place  and a monetary award at the Old Dominion University Harold Protsman Classical Perdiod Piano Competition. She prepared two movements of classical Sonata for this competitive event. Students had to present two contrasting movements from classical sonata at the preliminary auditions before being selected for the final round. This year, the adjudicator was John O’Conor. Applause for Nicole!

                                                   Nicole with her big sister, Michelle.

NVMTA Concerto Festival/Competition

Our studio had a small (five students) but strong showing at the NVMTA Concerto Festival/Competition this winter.

Grades 4-5

Lucy-1^st place

Eli-3^rd place

Grades 6-7

Charlotte-1^st place

Angus -2^nd place

  Sophia played her first concerto with a lot of energy and confidence. Her Haydn Concerto was musical and cheerful, just the way it should be. Way to go, Sophia!

Charlotte not only participated as a soloist, she also performed the task of an accompanist for Eli. Great team work!

 Please check back for updates regarding duet event and upcoming student recitals. March promises to be a more relaxing and quiet month according to studio calendar of events.

Winter News

February, the busiest month ever is almost over. I can hear parents asking in disbelief, “There is no festival or recital this weekend?”  Thank you for keeping weekend schedules flexible and attending Theory Exam, WMTA Speciality Competition, Baroque Festival and  several recitals during past few weeks.

 VMTA Theory Exam was a success. Students were well prepared. Eileen, busy TJ student, tackled with great skills level IX, I am very proud of her!

Top Theory scores- Sophia (%100) and Lucy 


Theme for WMTA Speciality Competition this year was “American and Canadian Music”. Congratulations to our winner:

Charlotte- 1^st place

Bach Baroque Festival results:

Superior Plus- Nicole, Eli

Superior- Sophia, Lucy, Helen, Gaby

15 point awards- Eli, Lucy and Katherine

January, 2013

January is almost over even though unusually warm weather does not appear to be on the same page as winter in this performance.  Do not get too confident just yet. Despite mischievous sunshine and its promises of an early spring,  I am convinced that we will get a visit from shy Ms.Winter.  

 Students have had a quick start to a new year, several events already successfully attended in January. Here is a quick update about the latest news:

NVMTA Judged Recital

Gabrielle- Honors

Eli- HM

 NVMTA Sight Reading Exam Top scores:

Charlotte- 100%

Sophia-99%

SMC Honors

Helen 

Nicole 

Charlotte 

WMTA Speciality Competition and NVMTA Theory Exam are next events, please check back for more updates.