Piano students of the Clara Woolley Music Studio, Plymouth, presented a recital, May 24, in the Ancilla Domini Chapel, comprised of a sampling of their memorized programs they played for their annual National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions (achievement test for piano students) that took place, May 13-14.
After the recital, Clara Woolley presented each student with a certificate and pin (or a plaque) recognizing their achievement level and years of participation.
Max Marohn, 16, Plymouth, earned the Early Bach Plaque for playing an all-Bach program of 15, memorized, Bach pieces, approximately 30 minutes of playing from memory.
Lydia Hall, 16, and Nathan Filson, both of Plymouth, each earned the Paderewski Medal for playing 10 memorized pieces, progressively more difficult, every year for 10 years.
Also playing in the recital and receiving awards were: Giovanni Baca, 2 years; Liliana Baca, 2 years; Alyson DeSalle, 8 years; Xinlang Fan, 6 years; Ethan Hall, 9 years; Daniel Heredea, 1 year; Joseph Heredea, 4 years; Joshua Heredea, 3 years; Rachel Heredea, 1 year; Seth Heredea, 1 year; Marcus Sopt, 1 year; Sophia Stroebel, 1 year; Olivia Zheng, 2 years, all of Plymouth; Connor Gal, 5 years, South Bend; Marcus Houin, 3 years, Bremen; and David Tepes, 6years; Grace Tepes, 1 year; and Levi Tepes, 3 years, Knox.
The purpose of the National Guild Auditions is to establish standardized goals and awards – through noncompetitive auditions – for students of all levels. Students are scored on individual merit in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique. The goal is to encourage growth and enjoyment through the study of piano.
Professional musician Peggy Coppler, Roann, Indiana, judged each student’s piano playing, marked their report cards, and wrote helpful comments. Coppler has taught piano for more than 30 years in her own studio and music in public schools at levels K-9. She serves as music coordinator/organist at Grace United Methodist Church, Kokomo. Earning her bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and master’s degree from Ball State University, Coppler also studied voice with Lynn Luciano at Indiana University and Denise Ritter Bernardini at the University of Toledo. Currently she sings with the Madrigal Singers, Wabash, and the Bach Collegium, Fort Wayne.
Each year more than 100,000 piano students participate in the Guild Auditions at over 800 audition centers worldwide, playing about 180,000 music pieces, adjudicated by about 1,000 professional musicians who travel farther than 6,000 miles.
