Showcasing our local talent on Sunday

One of the most satisfying aspects of my job with The Van Wert County Foundation and as Director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center is to support young students in the area of music.  I was once one of them and I know what encouragement can do for a young musician.  Although when I was a student, we didn’t have nearly as much activity in the arts as we now do.

This Sunday, The Van Wert County Foundation will sponsor the eighth annual Van Wert County Young Artists Recital.  It’s hard to believe we have been doing this for eight years running.  The original thought is still the driving force behind what we do today.  That is to encourage young student musicians by allowing them to showcase their talents for other musicians, teachers, family and community members of Van Wert County.  It is a unique opportunity for students who have invested time and work in perfecting a piece of music either as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble, to perform for an appreciative and encouraging audience.  They have all performed for an adjudicator for critical comments.  Now is their opportunity to take those comments and perform for an audience and just make music.

It means so much for students to feel the appreciation of a friendly audience.  It also is a wonderful and sometimes daunting experience.  Standing in front of an audience, which includes peers is quite a beneficial experience.  This experience will pay dividends as they grow up and take their place in the real world.

The Young Artists Recital will be held this Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.  It is free and open to the public.  I hope many people from our community can attend as well as parents, family, educators and students. This year’s recital may be a little shorter than in the past because of the weather, which has wreaked havoc on school schedules, but there will be some very talented students ready to perform. And these are the best in Van Wert County!

I hope you all enjoyed the American Spiritual Ensemble this last Saturday.  Although most have never heard of this group before, I promised they would be fantastic.  In my opinion and many others, it may have been one of the finest concerts we have ever hosted at the NPAC.  I was also pleased they were able to offer a master class to benefit the Lincolnview High School Choir.

The Community Concert Series is in full swing now as we return on March 18 with Five by Design’s show: Club Swing. Trust me, you’re going to love this one too!  If you don’t have a Community Concert ticket, just call the box office and get a single priced ticket.  You won’t be sorry!

Just 12 seats remain for our next NPAC concert: Cirque Shangai: Bai Xi.  Your kids and grand kids will love it and you will be amazed.  Another sleeper just might be the New York Gilbert & Sullivan’s production of The Pirates of Penzance on March 25 at the NPAC.  There will be a full, live pit orchestra and the acting, singing, staging and laughter will take you away.  Who knows, one of our Van Wert County Young Artists could someday be performing professionally back on our stage!

FINÉ.