Friday, Feb. 22 was the opening performance of the 2013 Piano Festival at WTAMU. Five pieces were performed by Unison Piano Duo, married couple Xiao Hu and Du Huang, who have performed worldwide. The event was a part of the University Guest Artist Series.

“They gave each piece its own voice,” Cheyenne Black, a junior Engineering Technology major, said. “They were very skilled and kept the attention of the audience.”

After intermission there was a performance of Molto Perpetuo, a piece written by WT assistant professor of music, Dr. B.J. Brooks. The piece demanded a performance by four people on one piano. Piano Pedagogy majors Luke Haile, Cong Nguyen, and Lynsi Porterfield and Piano Performance major Puntita Panyadee, all of the WT Piano Ensemble, performed the piece.

Saturday, Feb. 23 saw the performance of over 100 students before a set of judges for critiques. These students were split into Elementary, Junior and Senior divisions. One of those students was Lea Baumert, a junior from Dalhart High School.
“[I was] excited but knew there were a couple of kids who were going to show me up,” Baumert said.

Each participant was given a score of one through five with one being the best. Any student that was given a score of one plus performed at the recital that was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the recital hall in the Fine Arts Center.

The Honor’s recital consisted of 15 students. Four were chosen from the Elementary division, five from the Junior division and six from the Senior division. Three of the students from the elementary division and one from the junior division were taught by Dean Carson from Olton, Texas where he owns his own studio. Carson wrote three of the pieces performed by his students. For those who got inspired and now want to get started in piano, check out the best beginner digital piano.

“[It was] one of the most rewarding things that I have ever had.” Carson said.