On Saturday, January 20, 2007, the first annual “Young Artist’s Competition”, sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators collegiate chapter 506 was held on the campus of Northern State University.  Sixteen contestants, representing the finest musicians in the state of South Dakota competed for $400, $200 and $100 prizes.  Casey Skeide of Webster High School was named first place winner with performance on clarinet, who will also be soloing with the Aberdeen Civic Symphony Orchestra,  Edward Schumacher of Sioux Falls Lincoln High School was named second place winner with performance on cello and Connor Pederson of Sioux Falls Roosevelt was named third place winner on cello.  Participants were Samuel Benidt, Sisseton High School; Kelcy Brunner, Generation Joshua Academe, Nisland; Emelia Enquist, Great Plains Lutheran High School; Watertown, Jacob Fuhrman, Aberdeen Christian High School; Keith Hanson, Pollock High School; Katie Klipfel, Leola High School; Cherry Kolb, Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown; Rebecca Lendt, Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown; Meagan O’Malley, Aberdeen Central High School; Jason Roseth, Watertown High School; Ashley Schlomer, Selby Area High School; Brandon Sterling, Rapid City Stevens High School; and Robert Wright, Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown. 

 

     Judging the event were Terry Beckler, percussion instructor, Debi Dusseault, voice instructor, Frederic Hemke, instructor of Jazz studies and woodwinds, Grant Manhart, instructor of trumpet and director of Dominant 7, Boyd Perkins, director of bands and low brass instructor and Robert Vodnoy, teacher of strings and director of the University/Civic Symphony Orchestra.

 

     The Young Artists Competition is underwritten with a grant from the Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Mary Adams Balmat, founder, and a grant from 3M of Aberdeen.

 

     Project coordinators were members of Northern State University collegiate MENC chapter 506, Deanna Pederson, President, Darcy Brandenburg, Vice President, Lauren Kessler, Secretary, Amy Rawerts, Treasurer, Heide Olson and Jodi Sunderland, reporters.  Faculty advisors were Dr. Marcela Faflak and Dr. John Lockwood.

 

     Hospitality room and reception following the competition were hosted by Alyce Berggren and Janis Pearson.

 

     In concluding remarks Dr. Marcela Faflak said, “Today we heard some wonderful music!!  We are all winners!”.