Musicians compete for points at festival

There's more to music than the notes. There's a gold cup.

Students from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Dexter, Scott City and Bloomfield came to Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday for the 10th annual National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival and the possibility of winning that cup.

Almost 500 participants in voice, piano, woodwinds and strings performed for judges and were rated between one and five, one meaning "needs improvement" and five meaning "superior."

The coveted gold cup, awarded in all categories, requires 15 points. Winners will be announced in about three weeks.

"They're judged on every single note for actual musical talent, not their performance," said Debra Schott of New Hamburg, Mo., mother of two children entered in voice solo recitals.

Prompted by Kelso music teacher Marlena Creech, Schott involved both of her children in voice lessons. "Marlena recognized a talent in Stephen and then Hallie began taking lessons too," Schott said.

Piano instructor Susan Venable of Jackson said the junior festival offers a valuable opportunity for students to learn a piece and really prepare for an evaluation by a judge.

"Sometimes the judge's comments reinforce the teacher's comments," she said. "One advantage for teachers is that you become acquainted with a lot of new literature because of the assigned lists students must play from."

Marge Main, a music teacher at Alma Schrader and at her own music studio, coordinates the event.

"One really good thing is that some students may take lessons a little longer for the gold cup incentive," she said. "It gives them that little extra push. It also gives parents the idea there's a lot of people involved in music knowing they're part of a larger music community."

Jacob Breese, 8, of Jackson began taking piano lessons barely a year ago from Creech's husband, Omer, a teacher with 50 years of experience. Marlena Creech also has Breese as a student.

"This way I only have to go to one house," Jacob said. He wants to be on "American Idol" when he grows up.

After receiving five points and a superior rating for a piano solo, he said, "The gold cup sounds kind of interesting."

Breese's neighbor, 10th-grader Ashley Ledbetter, participated in musical theatre and received a superior rating. Ledbetter has been performing since fifth grade.

"This gives me self-confidence in other things too," she said. "It's easier for me to talk to people because I sing for them. It also helps me in speech and debate classes."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133