Talents of Music
Published 6:42 am Saturday, February 9, 2019
- Participants in this year’s annual Harris Music Contest take the stage together last weekend at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Photos provided
The Hormel Historic Home hosted the 7th annual Harris Music Contest last Saturday morning, Feb. 2, and held a community concert at the Historic Paramount Theatre later that day. With record numbers. The event had 53 participants in a variety of instrument categories including piano, strings, marimba, brass and winds. As is the case every year, I am amazed at the confidence and ability of all the competitors. The judges had fantastic things to say about all the contestants and offered feedback that will help the students continue their music journeys.
A special addition to the event his year was having MarySue Hormel Harris in attendance. Although her plans had to be altered a bit due to the weather, she was able to offer feedback to several of the contestants. She also offered her encouragement and appreciation to those in attendance at the community concert. She offered her thanks to the parents and teachers who provide musical opportunities to young people. MarySue feels strongly about how powerful music can be in a person’s life, and her wish is for the Hormel Historic Home to continue being a musical resource for the community.
One of the local talents playing during the show.
Genuine thanks goes to 14 area piano teachers who encouraged their students to practice hard and enter the 2019 competition: Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Ann Flisrand, Erin Grush, Karen Halls, David Hovland, Brian Koser, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, and Lorene Strobel. Austin is very fortunate to have these fine music teachers in the area.
Participants in four age categories performed and were awarded medals, trophies and cash prizes during the final concert held at the Historic Paramount Theatre.
2019 Final Results
Ages 6-8
- Emma Grush, piano champion
- Levi Phillips, piano runner-up
- George Yang and Juliette Zimmerli, piano honorable mention
Ages 9-11
- Meicy Liu, piano champion
- Claire Pepper, piano runner-up
- Eleanor Harthan and Maria Vu, piano honorable mention
Ages 12-14
- David Vu, piano champion
- Matthew Grush, other instrument (cello) champion
- Winston Walkup, piano runner-up
- Blake Zimmerli, other instrument (marimba) runner-up
- Alayna Kennedy and Blake Zimmerli, piano honorable mention
- Shepard Goossen (cello) and Emma Stanley (flute), other instruments honorable mention
Ages 15-18
- Aaron Knoll, champion
- John Lukes, other Instrument (Marimba) champion
- Tedd Lund, piano runner-up
- Tedd Lund, other instrument (cello) runner-up
- John Lukes and Katie Shin, piano honorable mention
- Abigail Chalmers (saxophone) and Selah Goossen (Clarinet), other instruments honorable mention
What’s happening at the HHH
History Happy Hour: History of the Hormel Institute presented by Andy Lucas
5:30 p.m. social, 6 p.m. presentation, Monday, Feb. 11
Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society and Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members.Donations will be accepted for the Paint the Town Pink fundraising efforts.
