Six Orion children recently took a trip to Grand Rapids to compete in the annual piano competition hosted by the Michigan Music Association.
When the music stopped, they came away with six ribbons and ten trophies, according to Jessica Davis, their piano teacher.
‘They did so good,? said Davis, who was recently elected to the association’s board. ‘I could hardly contain myself.?
Eric Smith, 10, won first-place in the standard category for playing ‘Jocularity.?
‘For him to win in that category was a big deal,? Davis said.
Miranda Bryan, 10, won first-place for playing ‘Dangerous Journey,? and Emily Parker, 10, won for ‘Square Dance.?
Rochelle Smith, 7, received three trophies and won second place in the classical music category for playing ‘Arabesque.?
Josh Mathew, 8, came in second place for his rendition of the standard, ‘Come to my House.?
Jarred Anderson, 8, came in third place for the popular song, ‘Aluette.?
Davis said the competition is held once a year at rotating cities in Michigan. This is her third year taking piano students. Davis, 20, competed there for six years with her own music teacher, Lori Capitan.
Davis said she started preparing her students for the competition in September with the older children, and in October with the younger ones.
‘That’s when he started the hardest music. We probably have to work the most on the classical,? Davis said.
But all the work paid off, but not without a little sweating.
Davis said her biggest hardship during the trip was the worrying.
‘I was so scared the entire weekend,? she said. ‘But in the end, I was really proud. I was nervous, but they did amazing.?
The competition is a chance for the students to show off their skills after long hours of practice. The different musical categories include classical, popular, standards and championship.
Davis said it’s fulfilling watching her students come so far.
She remembers the first year she took Miranda Bryan to the competition Bryan was too small to reach the pedals.
‘They get so much better each year,? Davis said. It’s just so much fun to watch them.?