March 2, 2023 at 12:39 p.m.
Hope Area Student Competes in Piano Competitions
By By Scott Strietelmeier-
Strietelmeier performed Chopin’s “Nocturne” for piano. He placed third, winning a $750.00 scholarship. Darren Li won the Betty F. Brown Award for Instrumental Excellence for his performance of “Violin Concerto No. 7, Op. 76” by Beriot and Molly Hotek won the Anna Newell Brown Award for Vocal Excellence with her performance of “Oh Had I Jubal’s Lyre” by Handel and “Apres Un Reve” by Faure.
The Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence and Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence are held each year for students in Bartholomew County. The competition and awards are sponsored by the family of the late Robert N. Brown and the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County.
Strietelmeier also competed in the Indiana State School Music Association Piano competition. He received a gold medal for his performance. According to the ISSMA website, “The ISSMA provides educationally evaluated music performance opportunities for students and teachers of school music ensembles, to assist in the development of performance-oriented assessment of standards for music education, to promote the inclusion of music ensembles as part of each school’s core curriculum, and to offer educational support to fulfill this mission.”
Strietelmeier has taken piano lessons for 11 years under the instruction of the late Mrs. Ruth Ann Stam and currently with Mrs. Nancy Crump. Both Mrs. Stam’s and Mrs. Crump’s students play Christmas performances at Four Seasons Retirement Center in Columbus. In addition, Strietelmeier enjoys playing for residents at both Four Seasons, in Columbus, and Miller’s Merry Manor in Hope.
