Port Washington piano students of Ruth Pleines’s multi-media studio were featured at the 44th annual recital on Saturday, June 8, at Shelter Rock Church in Manhasset.
Family and friends enjoyed the pianists’ choice of solos and duets reflecting the various musical eras—Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, including popular and jazz.
Layla Sanghrajka welcomed the guests. Before performing, the students introduced themselves and the chosen pieces from their repertoire: Gari Banks, Mariel Caporaso, Juliette Fisher, Sophie Harford, Bailey Henderson,Agathi Katechis, Katerina Katechis, Daniel Patterson, Luca Pedicini, Una Sandler, Layla Sanghrajka, Morgan Sim, Nate Sim, Kate Stols, Alayna Swanson, Violet Worms and Emma Vitols.
Diplomas and pins were presented to each student who received Honors in performance in the 2024 National Guild Piano Auditions held in late May in Port Washington. Through receiving honors, he or she is admitted to the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, American College of Musicians for the year 2024. Requirements were scales, chords, and cadences relating to each piece, plus ear training and transposition.
Violet Worms, who has performed in the National Guild for eight years, was the local winner with a three-piece program.
State winners with a seven-piece memorized program were Sophie Harford (one year performing in the National Guild), Bailey Henderson (one year performing in the National Guild) and Nate Sim (four years performing in the National Guild).
National winners with a ten piece memorized program were Gari Banks (*2), Juliette Fisher (*1), Agathi Katechis (*5), Katerina Katechis (*2), Daniel Patterson (*1), Luca Pedicini (*2), Una Sandler (*2), Layla Sanghrajka (*2), Morgan Sim (*4), Kate Stols (*1), Alayna Swanson (*2) and Emma Vitols (*1). An asterisk represents the number of years the student has performed in the National Guild.
Special commendation was given to Agathi Katechis for the fifth year of performing a 10 piece National memorized program.
Mrs. Pleines concluded the concert with appreciation expressed to the students for their commitment to piano and music study, and to the parents for their encouragement of a continuing music education.
Congratulations to these fine musicians for their outstanding achievements, motivation and performances.
