MOUNT VERNON MUSIC’S YOUNG ARTISTS SHOWCASE

by
Helen Burlingham
Pictures by Johanna Ramsey

The May 24th Young Artists Showcase was a treat to music lovers of all ages and preferences --from traditional folk songs, classic composers, retro jazz to modernist compositions. The talented young musicians from Pittsburg, Sulphur Springs, Texarkana, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Vernon, and Winnsboro performed with professional ability as soloists, in trios and quartets, and a jazz band, to a very appreciative audience at the afternoon concert at Mount Vernon Music Hall.

Six year old Andre Daniel, accompanied on piano by his grandmother, Sherry Daniel, opened the concert, wowing the audience with a violin solo, Handel’s Sonata in G Major. Then 16-year old guitarist Benjamin Munson, played Albeniz’s “Leyenda” with the skill of an experienced adult. His 14-year-old brother, Anthony, followed with an outstanding trumpet solo, Shubert’s “The Brook” . Benjamin returned, this time to the piano, to play Beethoven’s “Sonatina” followed by youngest brother, 11-year-old Samuel, who played Mendelssohn’s “Mosquito Dance”on his violin. What an outstanding musical family of home-educated students.

Three of the four Seabourne sisters, all harpists, performed solos delightfully -- first, Laura, playing Debussy’s “1st Arabesque”, then Susanna, playing the traditional “Believe Me,If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” and finally, Julia, playing Owens “Minuet in G Minor.” This Spring, their older sister, Alaina, who helped the girls get their start as harpists, will receive her BA in harp performance from UT Austin.

The talented Ramsey family was represented by 14-year old Grace (L) who performed her own piano compositions, “Autumn” and “Spring” with dexterity and grace. Then, high school senior, Kaci Mohon, soloed with an outstanding clarinet rendition of Rozas’s “Sonatina”. Rounding out the first half of the concert was high school senior, guitarist Ben Grisby, playing Bach’s “Allemande Bouree”.

After the Intermission, Mark Miller, President of Mount Vernon

Music, announced the winner of the $1000 Mount Vernon Music Scholarship. The winner, Mount Vernon guitarist, Ben Grigsby, has been playing the guitar since he was 12 and also studied piano for 6 years. This Fall, he will be attending the University of North Texas College of Music where he will major in classical guitar performance. (Pictured L-R: Mark Miller, Benjamin Munson, Laura Seabourne, and Kaci Mohan.)

In addition to the scholarship, Mount Vernon Music also had cash awards for several of the student performers: Sulphur Springs high school senior and TMEA Texas Music Scholar for 3 years, Kaci Mohon, received a cash prize of $100. She will be attending Texas A&M at Commerce in the Fall. Also receiving cash awards for outstanding performance were harpist, Laura Seabourne who received $75 and guitarist/pianist Benjamin Munson who received $50.

The second half of the concert opened with the Mount Pleasant High School Woodwind Trio –Christian Gomez, Kayla Ellerman, and Anna Echstein -- playing Haydn’s “Alegro Marziale”. This was followed by the Mount Pleasant High School Saxophone Quartet –Philip Rudnik, Edgar DeJesus, Lauren Eckstein, and Garrett Trickery – playing Stein’s “Sonatina” and “Scherzo from Suite for Saxophones” Both groups were outstanding.

The stage was then cleared for the appearance of the Mount Vernon High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Tracy Farr. The members were Daniel Hicks and Tyler Henderson on trombone, Sadie Bostick and Taylor Paterson on trumpet, Trent Fountain on sax, Shelby Zinn on clarinet, Mariana Herrera on flute, Chase Vavrecka and Carlos Herrera on percussion, Mason Raper and Daniel Contreras on Bass and K’Tyn Flowler on guitar. The band brought good memories and tapping toes to many “old timers” in the audience when they played Mercer & Schertizinger’s “Tangerine” and Buddy Holly’s “Words of Love”.

Congratulations should be given not only to the talented students, but to their parents and their teachers. The music educators include Betty Whitlock of Pittsburg (violin), Andrew Daniel, NTCC in Mt. Pleasant (guitar); Louise Murrah of Hooks (piano); Steve Bennett of Texarkana (trumpet); Janel Hector of Tyler and Allison Read of Dallas (harp); and Jeff Smith of Sulphur Springs (clarinet).

Thank you, Mount Vernon Music for showcasing these talented young artists.