Cynthia Adams Piano Studio, Guild 2011

GUILD 2011

On May 18th and 19th my students performed in the 2011 National Piano Playing Auditions, otherwise known as Guild. Guild is a closed session between student and adjudicator. The student is graded on their performance of a prepared program. The program sizes are National (10 pieces), State (7-9 pieces), District (4-6 pieces), Local (2-3 pieces) and Pledge (1 piece). The adjudicator takes into account their age and how long they have studied piano. All of my students passed with flying colors. Congratulations!

Our adjudicator this year was Dr. Richard Lucht. Dr. Lucht is Faculty Emeritus from the piano faculty at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. He received his Bachelor of Music from Nebraska Wesleyan University, the Master of Music from Wichita State University, and the Doctorate from Indiana University. He is known nationally through workshops and seminars dealing with various aspects of piano pedagogy. As a performer, he has been active in chamber music circles across the country. He has published a variety of articles on pedagogical topics and his textbooks dealing with functional keyboard skills are currently used by universities. He is a frequent judge throughout the country for many organizations and competitions. He has adjudicated for Guild for over twenty-five years. Thank you, Dr. Lucht!

Thanks to Graves Piano & Organ Company for their continued support of the Columbus piano community. This year, students were thrilled to play on a Grotian nine-foot concert grand piano formerly owned (and autographed by) Julie Andrews!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

GRADUATING SENIOR BRIDGET McGOVERN

For her final Guild, Bridget chose to do a three piece Duet Program. I was honored to be her partner. Bridget has been my student since June, 2004. Her accomplishments include seven Guild programs, four District Festivals, two Pianoramas and one Scale Olympics. This past April she had a Senior Piano Recital. Congratulations Bridget! I'm going to miss you!

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL MUSIC
ROBERTA BLAHO

The Guild Diplomas are the highest achievements awarded to Guild pianists. To receive a High School Diploma in Social Music a student's memorized program must include: a selection by Bach; the first movement of a Sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart or Schubert; a selection by Chopin; two selections by European composers; two selections by Contemporary composers, one which must be a native or naturalized U.S. composer; and three Musicianship Phases. The student's program selections must be approved by the National Guild Office before the end of the year preceding the audition. Student's must pass their audition with a certain score.

Please join me in congratulating Roberta on this amazing achievement!

Her Program:
Prelude XII - Bach
Sonata in G, Hob. XVI/27; L. 42 - Haydn
Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 - Chopin
Clair de lune - Debussy
Prelude in c# minor, Op 3, No. 2 - Rachmaninoff
Valse Brillante - Austin
Maple Leaf Rag - Joplin
scales (48 of them :) - sight reading - ear training

EIGHT CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL PROGRAM
ALLISON MERKLE