Photo by Myrna Fulton

The Harney County Chamber Music Society (CMS) music scholarship auditions took place on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Church of the Nazarene. Auditions were held in the morning, followed by a concert at 7 p.m. for the public. The music auditions have been an annual event since 1980.

We were thrilled to have nine students audition, five middle school and four high school students. Each participant played their pieces in front of two judges (one local and one from out of town) followed by a short interview after each performance. There’s been a growing interest from students to attend summer band camp. 

Due to cost increases for camps and high fuel costs, the Chamber Music Society increased the scholarship amounts this year. Scholarships may be used for music camp or other approved activities to further a student’s musical education. 

Students who auditioned are as follows:

Ryan Hansen, 16, piano, Gigue in B Flat Minor by Carl Heinrich Graun

$1,000.00 Scholarship donated by Campbell & Zelley

Lars Hagbom ,17,  Fiddle, Whistler’s Waltz and Bluegrass in the Backwoods by Kenny Baker 

$1,000.00 Scholarship donated by Jeff and Patty Dorroh and Chamber Music Society

Gaven Horrell, 14,  Alto saxophone, Minuet by Bach

$600.00 Scholarship donated by the Wagner Family Foundation and CMS

Ayla Davies, 17, Piano, To a Wild Rose by Edward MacDowell 

Mykah Johnson, 17, Baritone, Sarabande and Menuett by G.F. Handel

Benjamin Briels, 13, Saxophone, Winter Rhapsody by Foster

Hadley Gunderson, 13, Flute, Spandango by Sandra Hahn

Emily Melhus, 13, Percussion, When Johnny Comes Marching Home by Pachelbel

Madelyn O’Conner, 11, Piano ,  The Clown, Op. 30 #20 by Kabalevsky

Congratulations to all the performers. It was a job well done and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Keep up the good work and we hope to see you all back next year.

A heart felt thank you goes out to the Church of the Nazarene for use of their facility.

A huge thank you to all the many scholarship donors. Your support allowed for an increase in scholarship rates. Chamber Music Society is a non- profit organization relying on donations to help us do the good things to promote music in our schools and community.

The next CMS event is the Spring Concert featuring the Bell Choir, Choir and Orchestra on Sunday, March 17, at 3 p.m., at the Burns High School Cafetorium. Myrna Tuning, a founder of the Chamber Music Society will be honored.    

Fall season rehearsals for a December concert begin in early September. Adult and youth musicians of high school age are welcome to join.