Junior music competition held Saturday

The National Federation of Music Clubs state convention was held Friday and Saturday in Cape Girardeau. Local host and president of the Encore Federated Music Club of Cape Girardeau (District 6 of the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs) Marge Main said a group of about 30 met Friday for general meetings and a three-hour tour of the city, including the university and downtown area, ending with a lecture and organ presentation by Mary VanHoet Miller at Old St. Vincent's Church.

Saturday, designated "Junior Day," included a 9 a.m. memorial service in memory of Federation Friends, presentation of gold cup awards, installation of officers and the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs (MFMC) junior competition.

Fourteen competitors from six districts competed for cash awards and scholarships. Competitors were piano, string and voice students, grades seven to 12, who have already won at the district level.

Tenor vocalist Joshua Pemberton of Senath, Mo., pianist Sophie Becker of Lee's Summit, Kansas City, Mo., and violinist Sarah Bailey of Kirkwood, Mo., all high school students, each won $150 first-place awards.

Three honorable mention awards valued at $75 each were earned by April Cervinka of Stilwell, Kan. (string), Melissa Guller of St. Louis (piano) and Danielle Titus of Springfield, Mo. (piano).

Pictured with their teacher, Mary Ruth Boone, back, were junior festival gold cup winners Jansen Williams (front left) and Caitlin Pyle, both of Dexter, Mo. Williams received her fourth gold cup and Pyle received her fifth.

Two scholarship winners selected to attend music camp at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Center in Eureka Springs, Ark., in late July were pianist Jonathan Young of Jackson and vocalist Gabrielle Greer of Dexter, Mo. Scholarships are valued at $250 each.

Caitlin Pyle, a senior at Dexter High School, is the 18-year-old daughter of Darrel and Toni Pyle. She received the fifth gold cup, or "grand cup," in piano solo Saturday. A student of Mary Ruth Boone, the pianist began studying a decade ago and participated in the MFMC festivals in hymn playing, piano duet, piano solo, piano concerto, musical theater and vocal art song. In 2006 she was chosen as the top vocalist at the MFMC festival for district 6B. She will be attending John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., where she will major in chemistry, with plans to attend pharmacy school after receiving her bachelor's degree.

Jansen Williams, a junior at Dexter High School, is the 17-year-old daughter of Gary and Kim Williams of Dexter. At age 6, she began studying piano under Barbara Hill (who also taught Williams' mother). She now studies with Mary Ruth Boone. For 11 years she has participated in the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs festivals in hymn playing, piano solo, duets, concerto and vocal art song. She earned her fourth gold cup in piano solos Saturday. She plans to continue her education at Southeast Missouri State University after high school graduation.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

CHRIS PAGANO ~ cpagano@semissourian.com (National and state federations of music club officers who gathered for a convention in Cape Girardeau this weekend were, from left: Encore Federated Music Club of Cape Girar~deau Marge Main, public relations chairwoman NFMC Carole Langley, NFMC junior division chairwoman Marilyn Caldwell, NFMC vice president south central region Doris Whinery and past president Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Lorraine Peery Long.)