Young Artists Showcase
by
Maryann Miller
Every year Mount Vernon Music finishes its season with a special event supporting young talent in East Texas. On May 23, a number of incredibly talented young musicians entertained a most appreciative audience.
The first to take the stage was 7-year-old Andre Daniel, who has been studying violin with Betty Whitlock for two years. Have you done the math? That means he started when he was five. His performance was not flawless, but it was very accomplished for one so young.
Next were brothers Isaac Munson on cello and Samuel Munson on violin.
Susanna Seabourne was the first of two harpists to perform that 
afternoon. She has been taking lessons in Dallas for five years and has played chamber music with her sisters. She was part of last year's Young Artists Showcase, and Mount Vernon Music was pleased to have her back.
Sara Walker (below) is a junior at Sulphur Springs High School and has been playing clarinet since fifth grade. She has received a number of awards, including the TMEA Merit Music Scholarship. At the showcase, she was given a $100 award as part of Mount Vernon Music's recognition of special talent.
Accompanied by Steve Harlos on piano, Sara performed a Von Weber Concertino, that for me was the highlight of the afternoon. All musicians know that sometimes magic touches a performance and that is what happened between Steve and Sara. As the piece progressed, the individual instruments melded together and raised the performance to a higher level. Afterward, Sara said she knew it was a good performance. "It was such a thrill to play with someone from Dallas of his caliber," she said. "I know that made a difference."
Steve, one of the founding members of Mount Vernon Music, is the Coordinator of Piano and Collaborative Piano at the University of North Texas in Denton. He enjoys coming to East Texas and bringing fine music here, and he is most encouraging of new talent. Of Sara's performance he said, "She is great. We only rehearsed once earlier today, but I knew she had it. I could tell from her audition tape that she is quite accomplished."
Molly Ginn, a freshman at Sulphur Springs High School has played the violin since she was nine years old. She is a 
member of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and recently qualified for State Solo and Ensemble competition. Her talent was also recognized in a special way with a $50.00 award from Mount Vernon Music.
Benjamin Munson, who played a Bach piece on classical guitar was given a $75.00 award from Mount Vernon Music. Mark Miller, who presented the awards said that he only wished their scholarship and award fund had enough money that all the performers could have been given an award. "They all gave such fine performances," he said. "It was hard to chose which ones to give this year's awards to."
Another highlight of the afternoon was a performance on harp by Laura Seabourne. She has been playing the harp since she was nine and plays professionally for weddings, church services, and parties. She was one of five students selected to play in a master class with Yolanda Kondanassis, and in January of this year she was accepted to study at the prestigious New England Conservatory in Boston.
Not only did she give the audience a wonderful performance, she was also awarded the $1000.00 scholarship given annually by Mount Vernon Music. (Award presented by Steve Harlos)
Rounding out the afternoon's entertainment was a special appearance by the Mt. Vernon High School Jazz band, under the direction of Tracy Farr. They played a selection of songs, and the audience really enjoyed their rendition of the theme from "Ghostbusters."
In addition to directing, Farr also plays banjo, and it appeared that he was having as much fun as the students. The band is pictured below behind all the performers from the Showcase. Tracy Farr is on the left in the back row.
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NOTE: Tracy writes a humor column for his Web site that he shares with WinnsboroToday.com. His latest column can be found HERE