The Stevens Point Area Music Teachers Association (SPAMTA) held the 32nd Annual Fall Classical Music Festival Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Noel Fine Arts Center of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP).

About 100 young musicians (from ages 4 to adult) took part in these music auditions, performing two contrasting musical selections by memory for a judge. Auditions were conducted for piano, guitar, violin, viola and voice. Participants received an overall score based on their performance.

“The Fall Classical Music Festival is a very low-key, positive experience for every level of music student,” said Gail Heywood, president of SPAMTA. “The performers gain experience in the preparation of audition repertoire, obtain feedback on their performance from a highly qualified professional.

“When the participants prepare and practice for this audition, they work to perfect their performances,” she said. “Students also learn about contrasting musical style periods and performance preparation. They get to meet and see other young musicians and have a greater appreciation for music.

“They generally apply similar determination and perseverance to many future endeavors academic or otherwise,” she said. “Additionally, participation in this event provides the young musician with the opportunity to observe other musicians and gain self-esteem through their accomplishment.

“In their involvement in this event, the students also raise funds for our SPAMTA College Scholarship. So this program is very beneficial in supporting the arts in our community,” she said.

Adjudicators for the Fall Classical Music Festival were Cynthia Penker, Connie Spencer, Mary Stevens and John Strassburg.

The following Stevens Point area teachers had students participating in the event: Jenny Burton, Judy Meyer, Ann Marie Novak, Merietta Oviatt, Rachel Snyder Turney, Mary Thomas, Heather Wagner, Tom Yang and Heywood.

An honors recital and award ceremony was held at the conclusion of the day’s events featuring those students who achieved the highest performance score. The following area students performed:

Connor Akey, William Hahn, Nathaniel Meadows, Lucia Stephani, Natalie Akey, Anna Halvorsen, Elizabeth Oakland, Julia Storch, Julia Caldwell, Annaliese Heese, Jacob Oakland, Elizabeth Timcak, Matthew Caldwell            , Genevieve Heese, Elizabeth Olmstead,

Anna Turney, Brock Chandonais, Olivia Heese, Alyssa Olson, Emily VanNatta, Katy Czerwinski, Dominique Jamison, Jonathan Olson, Brandon Whalley, Josh Davis, Noah Kolinski, Aubrey Ortner, Sophia Wojahn, Matt Davis, Andrew Lai,

Owen Rattle, Megan Yang, Lexi Ford, Ana Macken, Michael Reeser, Olivia Yang, Isabelle Francis, Rachel Marten, Maija Salienko, Nathan Zuge, Lucas Haemmerle, Scarlett Mattison, Ashlyn Solinsky, Anna Hahn, Ryland Mayek and Hope Stephani.

SPAMTA is an affiliate of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). This chapter serves the communities of Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids and Waupaca. Founded in 1876, MTNA, the oldest professional music association in the country, represents more than 24,000 independent and collegiate Music professionals. The local chapter of MTNA meets on the second Wednesday of the month (during the school year) at Mitchell Piano Works. Meetings are free and open to the public. Visit the Stevens Point Area MTA website at www.spamta.webs.com or the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association website at www.wisconsinmusicteachers.com for more information about music outreach programs and benefits of membership.