Music Festival Newsletter

Dear Parents,

The annual Piano Festival was created and designed in 1997 by Terrie McDowell and Margaret McKinnon to provide their students a unique performance experience. I now sponsor my own individual festival each year. The purpose for this event is to promote study and stimulate interest in American and world piano literature and to encourage each participant to reach a high standard of musical achievement.

Two categories have been created so that students can enter both events. These categories are piano solo and hymn playing. Entrants do not compete against each other. Ratings are as follows:

Superior 5 points

Excellent 4 points

Very Good 3 points

Good 2 points

Fair 1 point

Points are accumulated yearly. When students acquire 14 points, they receive a Gold Cup Trophy. Subsequent trophies are awarded when reaching 28 and 43 points.

The 2010 Piano Festival will be located at Grays Chapel United Methodist Church, 9:00AM to noon, on Saturday, April 26.

An adjudicator will be acquired. Students will be assigned a studio and audition time(s) prior to the Festival. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 – 30 minutes prior to their audition. Please see me when you first arrive. Practice rooms will be available. Please have students dress neatly. Each player is responsible for bringing his/her own music for judges to have during their audition. Participants are asked to wait a few minutes after their audition to receive their music and rating card.

All entrants are required to pay entry fees. A $7.00 charge is due for each event. These monies are used for operating costs which include church donation, adjudicator charges, certificates and rating cards for all participants and for Gold Cup trophies.

Audition times will be assigned close to the event date. If you or your family have any time requests due to other conflicting commitments, please notify me as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and patronage toward this exciting musical event

Margaret McKinnon