Growing our own musicians

So much is said about the wonderful musicians and performers we bring to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and Fountain Park. Where do these artists come from? Often it is somewhere just like Van Wert, Ohio.  Many of the “so called” popular artists we idolize today grew up in some small town USA, much like where we live.

A week from this Sunday, The Van Wert County Foundation will showcase student musicians from our county schools.  This will be the ninth year for the Van Wert County Young Artists Recital.  An idea that started in 2003 as the Van Wert County Solo & Ensemble Recital has evolved into nearly a decade of showcasing some of the finest musical talent in our schools.

Last Saturday, nearly 100 students from Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert High Schools performed for a professionally trained music adjudicator at the Ohio Music Educator’s Solos & Ensemble Contest held at St. Marys Memorial High School (by the way, congratulations St. Marys on a beautiful learning facility for your children and youth of your district; I know you waited a long time for what you have). Of all these students, a select few will be performing on the Young Artists Recital.  Those selected to perform on February 12 performed well enough to be chosen as the cream of the crop.

The purpose of the Young Artists Recital is to give the students yet one more opportunity to perform their prepared piece of music; this time for an audience and not an adjudicator.  After all, I think every performer’s goal is to play for an audience.  Another valuable benefit of this recital is the opportunity for students from their school and other schools to hear each other.  Too often, I have been in rooms at solo & ensemble contest where a student is performing for a judge and maybe two or three others.  We hope the public shows up for the Young Artists Recital and gives support for these student musicians.

The recital begins at 3 p.m. and will be held at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.  There is no admission charge as any expenses incurred are underwritten by The Van Wert County Foundation.

You will hear instrumentalists, vocalists, pianists, solos and ensembles.  There is always a good mix of performers.  I have to admit, it seems to be a real experience for first time performers, but with polite applause, an audience can put these young performers at ease as they realize they are playing for an appreciative hometown crowd.

I hope you mark your calendars for Sunday, February 12, at 3 p.m. and invite a friend to come along with you.  I look forward to a full sanctuary.  We always hold a nice reception at the church following the recital.  Everyone is invited to enjoy cake and punch and mingle with the performers and offer congratulations.

This is yet just another way The Van Wert County Foundation supports youth activities in our county.  Come out and enjoy a nice afternoon of good music in the cozy confines of friendly First U.M. Church in downtown Van Wert.

FINÉ.