This May 26th, a spring Piano Recital featuring the private students of T. J. Bond, Nona Danreuther, Susie Sant, and Marla Ray was held at the Christ Lutheran Church.
There were 21 impressive students: seventeen grade school students and four upperclassmen. The range of experience was fun, from those who just started this year to senior Kathrine Bold with years of lessons and experience. Katherine Bold played “Never Give up on Your Dreams” from memory. Simple songs like “London Bridge” were played by Isaac Goodman and Chopsticks in a duet with Eryne Hartley. Some of my favorites were played; “I Just can’t Wait to be King,” played by Gabby Cox, and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” played by Zacchaeus Eire from Lion King. “Jessica’s Them from Man From Snowy River played by Angie Sant, and “Star Wars Main Theme played by Tommy Sant. Amazing Grace was played twice, once by Elise Hartley and again by Jaesun Yirsa.
As a person who grew up around classical music, I loved “Sonatina Op. 36” played by Jaycee Worrall, “Minuet” by Bach played by Daijalin Sunchild, “Ninth Symphony by Beethoven played by McKenzie Werk, and the “Southern Roses” Theme by Strauss played by Astrid Ketchum.
Of course, there had to be a march, and Parker Yirsa played ‘When the Saints Go Marching In”.
At a certain older age, those of us would remember “Super Marion Brothers, played by Jack Sant. And the younger crowd would have recognized “Edwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter movie series played by Jenny Sant.
Harley Labuda play a duet with Nona Danreuther.
Rounding out the solo performances were James Yirsa, D’Aree Sunchild, Dorothea Merrill, and Henry Merrill with music they played well, but I didn’t recognize.
What was remarkable was each student had to introduce themselves and say what they were playing. A few couldn’t speak, were too scared, and others could talk but couldn’t finish their song. But you loved their attempts.
Some were dressed up! Others dressed down! What was apparent is that music is alive and well in our community!
