CEDAR CITY — Over 500 music students from throughout Southern Utah will converge in Cedar City for both string and piano music festivals March 7 and 14, respectively. The students will play two memorized pieces for a panel of three judges to receive written commentary and earn points for Gold Cup trophies.
String students start on March 7 at Canyon View High School, 166 W. 1925 North in Cedar City. Piano students start on March 14 in the music building at Southern Utah University, 351 W. University Blvd. in Cedar City.
String Music Festival
Marin Colby directs the Southern Utah String Festival with a team of volunteers.
Sessions run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Canyon View High School and are open to the public. The students are grouped by age and level so each session is like a minirecital. This allows students to learn from each other, rather than only the judges hearing their performance.
Judges are being coordinated by Mariah Larsen with Judy Larsen as treasurer. Lauana Carter organizes the gold cup recitals and trophies. More information on the Southern Utah String Festival is available online.
Sara Penny directs the Gold Cup Scholarship program for the strings. Seniors planning to attend SUU who have earned at least one gold cup may apply for a $100 scholarship by March 30 by submitting the application online.
“We have given as much as $1,000 a year and last year had no applicants,” Penny said, “so we encourage the students who are going to SUU to apply.”
Piano Music Festival
Brittnie Larson and Angie Maxwell co-direct the National Federation of Music Clubs Piano Festival, partially sponsored by the SUU Music Department.
Sessions run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 14 in the music building on the Southern Utah University campus.
“With the help of Ruth Leavitt, Diane Decker, Lucinda Duncan, Tiffany Harris, LaRae Heaton, LuAnn Keate, and 18 teachers from three counties we are able to allow 275 piano students to share talent and gain a growing experience while earning gold cups and scholarship potential,” Larson said.
Students may also apply for a $100 scholarship if attending SUU in the fall. Applications will be available at the Piano Festival.
About the Music Festival
The Music Festivals started in 1983 to encourage a high level of musicianship and to provide a positive performance opportunity for students of all ages. Several of the early participants are now professional musicians and teachers. Others have gone on to careers as varied as science, business, and medicine.
“Musical training is a huge benefit to children as they learn listening skills, cooperation, and discipline,” Penny said. “In an age of instant gratification it is particularly valuable for students to work towards a long term goal and to realize the joy of musical achievement. It is also essential to get constructive criticism for improvement and we appreciate all of the musicians who help judge the events.”
Event details and resources
- What: Music festivals for strings and piano
- When and Where: Strings on March 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Canyon View High School, 166 West 1925 North, Cedar City
- When and Where: Piano on March 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the SUU Music Building, 351 West University Boulevard
Cedar City - String Festival website
- National Federation of Music Clubs | Festivals Web page
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