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PITTSBURG —
Students of the Lyerla Music Studio celebrated their annual Improv Awards Party recently at the First Church of the Nazarene.
“It was a fun year, thanks to my students and the help of many of my parents and their families,” said Donna Lyerla, studio music director. “Photos of the party will be on Facebook as soon as I can get them posted.”
Theme for the event was “Music ‘For the Birds’,” with Sage Brown and Rachael Holden serving as emcees.
Bell choir played “On Eagle’s Wings,” then members “flew” to the front of the sanctuary, flapping their wings, to receive their awards. Members receiving bell pins and certificates were Karen Knaup, Rachael Holden, Cathy Holden and Melissa McCool.
Christine Schindler and Will Schindler received a guest certificate for their participation at the party.
Winning the prize in the most entertaining category was Andrew Ortolani, who sang “Free Bird,” accompanied by his father on guitar and harmonica, with Mrs. Lyerla on piano.
Most amusing were Rachael Holden and Kristie Smardo, who performed the “Hen’s Duet” from “Fledermaus.”
“They were stuffed like birds with big bird’s feet, and both wanted the same part as they were auditioning at the Met,” Mrs. Lyerla said.
The best chicken dancer was Hannah Eckstein. Amanda Hoffman played the “Chicken Reel” as students competed for the title of best chicken dancer.
Most beautiful selection went to Rachael Holden, who sang “Blackbird” by the Beatles and accompanied herself on piano.
Many other awards were presented to students.
Pittsburg State University Mid-America Music Festival was held April 21. Receiving a certificate and gold medal for a I rating in piano solo were Daniel Riachi, Jadyn Meyer, Andrew Riachi, Caroline McKnight, Jonah Carl, Katie Painter, Haley Eshelbrenner, Devon Coulter, Will Schindler, Amanda Hoffman and Hannah Eckstein.
Receiving II-plus rating and silver medal and certificate was Taylor D’Amico. Kennedy Tomasi received a II rating and silver medal and certificate.
Kennedy Tomasi also received a I-plus rating with gold medal and certificate, and Haley Eshelbrenner received a I rating with gold medal and certificate, all in vocal solo.
Ethan Tomasi received a I rating in guitar solo and received a gold medal and certificate.
Earning Method Book trophies in 2012 were Haley Garzone, Molly Garzone, Aidan Fleming and Keagan Fleming, all for piano, primer level. Ashley Marietta and Allison Marietta received a trophy for completing Level I in pick style guitar. Katie Painter received a trophy for completing Level 2A in piano, and Amanda Hoffman finished Level 2.
Students of the Lyerla Music Studio celebrated their annual Improv Awards Party recently at the First Church of the Nazarene.
“It was a fun year, thanks to my students and the help of many of my parents and their families,” said Donna Lyerla, studio music director. “Photos of the party will be on Facebook as soon as I can get them posted.”
Theme for the event was “Music ‘For the Birds’,” with Sage Brown and Rachael Holden serving as emcees.
Bell choir played “On Eagle’s Wings,” then members “flew” to the front of the sanctuary, flapping their wings, to receive their awards. Members receiving bell pins and certificates were Karen Knaup, Rachael Holden, Cathy Holden and Melissa McCool.
Christine Schindler and Will Schindler received a guest certificate for their participation at the party.
Winning the prize in the most entertaining category was Andrew Ortolani, who sang “Free Bird,” accompanied by his father on guitar and harmonica, with Mrs. Lyerla on piano.
Most amusing were Rachael Holden and Kristie Smardo, who performed the “Hen’s Duet” from “Fledermaus.”
“They were stuffed like birds with big bird’s feet, and both wanted the same part as they were auditioning at the Met,” Mrs. Lyerla said.
The best chicken dancer was Hannah Eckstein. Amanda Hoffman played the “Chicken Reel” as students competed for the title of best chicken dancer.
Most beautiful selection went to Rachael Holden, who sang “Blackbird” by the Beatles and accompanied herself on piano.
Many other awards were presented to students.
Pittsburg State University Mid-America Music Festival was held April 21. Receiving a certificate and gold medal for a I rating in piano solo were Daniel Riachi, Jadyn Meyer, Andrew Riachi, Caroline McKnight, Jonah Carl, Katie Painter, Haley Eshelbrenner, Devon Coulter, Will Schindler, Amanda Hoffman and Hannah Eckstein.
Receiving II-plus rating and silver medal and certificate was Taylor D’Amico. Kennedy Tomasi received a II rating and silver medal and certificate.
Kennedy Tomasi also received a I-plus rating with gold medal and certificate, and Haley Eshelbrenner received a I rating with gold medal and certificate, all in vocal solo.
Ethan Tomasi received a I rating in guitar solo and received a gold medal and certificate.
Earning Method Book trophies in 2012 were Haley Garzone, Molly Garzone, Aidan Fleming and Keagan Fleming, all for piano, primer level. Ashley Marietta and Allison Marietta received a trophy for completing Level I in pick style guitar. Katie Painter received a trophy for completing Level 2A in piano, and Amanda Hoffman finished Level 2.
National Federation of Music Clubs First Gold Cup trophies went to Haley Eshelbrenner, Amanda Hoffman, Caroline McKnight and Kristie Smardo for piano solo. Ethan Tomasi received a First Gold Cup in pick style guitar. Morgan Burns and Kristie Smardo each received a First Gold Cup in musicianship-theory. Kristie Smardo also received a First Gold Cup for vocal solo musical theater.
Second Gold Cups were received by G.Q. “Sage” Brown in vocal art solo and Rachael Holden in vocal solo musical theater.
It takes 15 points to receive the first gold cup, 30 points for the second and 45 points for the third. A superior rating is good for five points, so it takes a student at least three years to earn the first gold cup.
Those receiving an NFMC superior certificate for their first year were G.Q. “Sage” Brown for vocal solo musical theater (Senior 2); Devon Coulter for piano solo (Primary 3) and musicianship-theory (Level 2); Taylor D’Amico, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Hannah Eckstein, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Haley Eshelbrenner, vocal solo musical theater (Junior 1); Aidan Fleming for piano solo (Pre-Primary) and musicianship-theory (Level 2); Keagan Fleming, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Molly Garzone, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Jorja Johnson, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Brandon Lyerla, musicianship-theory (Level 4); Connor Lyerla, musicianship-theory (Level 2); Allison Marietta, pick-style guitar (Pre-Primary) and musicianship-theory (Level 1); Ashley Marietta, musicianship-theory (Level 1); Caroline McKnight, piano solo (Primary 2); John Owen, musicianship-theory (Level 5); Devina Reetz, vocal solo musical theater (Senior 1) and piano solo (Elementary 2); Daniel Riachi, musicianship-theory (Level 1) and piano solo (Pre-Primary); and Kennedy Tomasi, musicianship-theory (Level 2).
Receiving an NFMC superior certificate for two consecutive years were Matthew Gaddy, musicianship-theory (Level 3); Haley Garzone, musicianship-theory (Level 2); MacKenzie Moore, musicianship-theory (Level 2); and Andrew Ortolani, musicianship-theory (Level 3).
Those receiving NFMC superior certificates for three consecutive years were Morgan Burns, musicianship-theory (Level 4); Jonah Carl, musicianship-theory (Level 4); Caroline McKnight, musicianship-theory (Level 3); Devina Reetz, musicianship-theory (Level 6); Andrew Riachi, musicianship-theory (Level 5); Kristie Smardo, vocal solo musical theater (Senior 2) and musicianship-theory (Level 5); and Ethan Tomasi for pick style guitar (Medium).
Receiving NFMC superior certificates for four consecutive years were G.Q. “Sage” Brown, vocal art song (Musically Advanced I); Haley Eshelbrenner, musicianship-theory (Level 4); Katie Painter, piano solo (Elementary 1); and Amanda Hoffman, musicianship-theory (Level 6).
Receiving NFMC certificates for five consecutive years were Rachael Holden and Gracie Lopez, both for musicianship-theory (Level 5).
Rachael Holden also received an NFMC superior certificate for six consecutive years in vocal solo musical theater (Musically Advanced 1).
Fifteen students participated in the voluntary Growing Trophy competition this year. Featured were practice time, Method Book work, scales, sight reading and intervalic sight reading. Participants were Daniel Riachi, Gracie Lopez, Will Schindler, Devina Reetz, Alexis Leonard, Caroline McKnight, Ethan Tomasi, Jonah Carl, G.Q. “Sage” Brown, Andrew Riachi, Kennedy Tomasi, Rachael Holden, Katie Painter, Haley Eshelbrenner and Amanda Hoffman. Points ranged from 4,810 to 33,345. Amanda Hoffman was awarded the largest trophy.
Special achievement awards were given to Rachael Holden for concert attendance, live performance and vocal solo musical theater; Jorja Johnson, flashcard work; Haley Garzone for Method Book work; Amanda Hoffman for practice time and sight reading; G.Q. “Sage” Brown for recital memory work and vocal art song; Jadyn Meyer for responsibility (bonus); Katie Painter for transposition; Andrew Riachi, music wrap ups; Devina Reetz, piano solo and accompaniment; Ethan Tomasi, pick style guitar solo; and Haley Eshelbrenner, perfect attendance.
Surprise achievement medals and ribbons went to Devina Reetz for three superior ratings in piano solo, vocal solo and theory in 2012; Kristie Smardo for receiving three First Gold Cups in 2012 for piano solo, vocal solo and theory; and Rachael Holden for receiving six consecutive superior ratings for musicianship-theory in 2012.
Musical Marathon champion this year was Haley Eshelbrenner, who earned the most points throughout the year in all of the categories. First place advanced trophy went to Rachael Holden, followed by G.Q. “Sage” Brown, second, and Devina Reetz and Kristie Smardo tied for third. Intermediate category winners were Amanda Hoffman, first, Will Schindler, second, and Ethan Tomasi, third, with a fourth place certificate going to Andrew Riachi and fifth place to Jonah Carl. Older beginner first place trophy went to Katie Painter, with Jadyn Meyer in second place and Haley Garzone in third, with Devon Coulter receiving a fourth place certificate and fifth place to Matthew Gaddy. First place in the beginner category went to Kennedy Tomasi, second to Ashley Marietta, third to Allison Marietta, with a fourth place certificate going to Taylor D’Amico and fifth place certificate to Hannah Eckstein.
The 2012 senior graduate from the Lyerla Music Studio was G.Q. “Sage” Brown, who graduated with honors from the Christian Home Educator’s Association. He will attend Manhattan Christian College where he will major in counseling and criminology and participate in the soccer program.
Following the awards was a reception in the church gym with finger foods and beverages brought by parents. Hostesses were Melissa McCool, Lorene Hoffman and Tess Carl. Decorations were brought by Cathy Holden and family and Barbara Todd and family. Trophies were done by Ron Wilbert, programs and PowerPoint were provided by Brett Lyerla, Barbara Todd did photography and Mike Dalton ran the sound system.
