As many of you know, Andre Peck (11) and Will Gannon (15) were 2 of just 24 students, selected by an international panel, to attend Piano Texas. Held at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, The Piano Texas International Festival & Academy is one of the most prestigious such academies/festivals in the world. Andre and Will were in the 18 and under age category. They each offered 40 minutes of literature. They studied with a number of the most famous artist/teachers on the planet, including Tamas Ungar (Founder and Director of Piano Texas), Boris Slutsky, and Stanislav Ioudenitch (our beloved Kenny Broberg's current coach). The boys each performed in master classes as well as in numerous recitals - all on fantastic instruments in gorgeous halls. And when the boys came home, they gave a joint recital which formed the climax of our Summer Gala.
One of the most satisfying events of the academy was the opportunity - for the 1st time ever for this Junior Division - to win a chance to perform a concerto with the superb Forth Worth Symphony. Of the 18 students who auditioned, 6 were chosen to perform with the orchestra. Andre was one of those selected! He gave a magnificent performance of the 1st movement of Mozart's Concerto in C Major, K. 467 and played the thrilling cadenza by Dinu Lipatti. It was a dream come true - not just that Andre got to play with orchestra - but that he had the honor to perform with a superb, world class ensemble! Unfortunately, Will was unable to enter the competition as the duration of his concerto exceeded the allotted time.
On top of all this, our great Kenny Broberg performed an overwhelmingly complicated and emotional recital on the Piano Texas Distinguished Artist Series as part of the festival. And, as you know, he went on to win the American Pianists Association Competition a few days later.
Finally, as announced earlier, Orion Kim studied at the fabled Yellow Barn International Center for Chamber Music for the past 3 weeks. Based in Putney, Vermont, Yellow Barn is one of the finest chamber music training and performance centers in the world. Just 1 of 2 pianists selected for this academy, the experience for Orion was hyper-intensive and inspirational. He coached and performed movements of major works of Beethoven and Faure as well as unpublished works written by academy composers. Orion received rave reviews from the international faculty for his deep and sensitive artistry. What a great experience for him!!
I just heard a crash!! What was that?!? I believe it was the commencement of the "Third Wave"!!
Yours in Music -
Joe & Jo Anne