Marcia Vahl Piano Studio

EVENTS

2009

December 22 - January 1 Christmas Break
January 5  Lessons Resume
January 31 and February 1 MMTA District Preliminary Piano Contest, Bethel University
February 17-18-19 Group Lessons (No Private Lessons this week)
March 14-15 MMTA State Piano Contest, University of Minnesota
March 30-31 and April 1-2 Spring Break
April 18, May 2 & 16 MMTA Honors Concert Rehearsals, Brooklyn Center Schmitt Music
May 18-19 Spring Recitals
May 30 MMTA Honors Concert, Northrup Auditorium, U of M Campus


2008

October 23, Fall Recital, Schmitt Music Minnetonka, 7:00 pm
November 8, Payment is due for MMTA Preliminary Contest Fee(s)
November 24, Monday students will have regular lessons
November 25, Group Lesson (4 sessions) with Dr. Marianne Bryan
November 26-27, Thanksgiving Break

2007-2008

MMTA State Piano Contest
Seven students worked diligently to memorize pieces to play in the MMTA State Contest preliminaries on February 2 and 3, 2008. We were all overjoyed when all 7 won the preliminary round and played in the finals on March 15-16. Students who participated are Luke Hanson, Primary; Jared Deters, Junior B; Rachel Seppala, Junior B; Ellen Monzo, Junior B; Travis Tripp, Intermediate A; Matthew Palm, Intermediate A; and Ben Swanson, Intermediate B. Congratulations to Ellen Monzo who won on Junior B Level with "Elfin Dance" by Edvarg Grieg, and Travis Tripp, who was chosen as an Intermediate A alternate with "Rhythm Roulette" by Dennis Alexander. Ellen is deep in preparation to play in our state Honors Concert on May 31. The Honors Concert is MMTA's gala event of the year, held at Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota Campus. Six hundred eighty students play in various ensembles on 20 pianos onstage in this huge "monster concert." All of the preparations from the contest year culminate in the concert, which was held on May 31, 2008.

Senior Recital of Jenny Tripp
Jenny Tripp, who has been a student of Marcia Vahl since she was in 3rd grade, performed her senior recital at Schmitt Music, Minnetonka, on Thursday, May 15.  Her program included:

Baroque:  Bach - Prelude and Fugue in C Minor No. 2, BWV 847
Classical:  Beethoven - Opus 10 No. 1 - Mvts. 1 and 3
Romantic:  Chopin - Waltz in E minor
                  Koelling - Hungary: Rhaphsodie Mignonne
                  Mendelssohn – Hunting Song
Contemporary:  Copland - Cat and the Mouse
                          Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag
Hymn Arrangement:  Carolyne Taylor - Amazing Grace
Just For Fun:  First Recital Piece: Frisky Filly – Martha Mier
               Dawn (Dario Marianelli) from Pride and Prejudice            
               Tribute To Pikes Peak – Melody Bober
Duets: CS Theme and Variations
            Henry Purcell - Rondeau

          Jenny with Dr. Marianne Fleming Bryan,
          getting some extra coaching for the recital.

Studio Recitals, May 20 and 22

Spring Recitals for the studio were given on Tuesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 22, at the Minnetonka Schmitt Music at 6:30 pm each night. Students eagerly performed their favorite pieces, ranging from the Baroque to Contemporary music periods as well as som Jazz, Pop, and Country arrangements for piano. Awards were be given at the recitals for student achievement during the year in State Theory Tests, Piano Exams, State Contest, and National Piano Guild.

Piano Performance Trophies 2008

Luke H, Matthew P, Kaelie L, Emily R, Ellen M, Ben S, John O, Travis T, Katherine O, Jenny T, Mary O

MMTA State Contest Finalists
Luke H, Jared D, Ellen M, Matthew P, Travis T

MMTA Piano Exams
Kaelie L, Level 5; Travis T, Level 6; Jenny T, Level 10

MMTA Theory Exams
Ellen M, Level 1; Kaelie L, Level 2; Travis Tripp, Level 2

National Piano Guild Auditions
Matthew P; Mary O