Piano students present recitals, receive awards

McDONALD — The Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Festival on March 14 at Bliss Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University attracted 299 piano students.

Among them were nine students from Paridon Piano Studio, who performed 25 events in the following categories: piano solo, piano concerto (two pianos), hymn playing and musicianship theory.

The nine also performed in the annual class recital March 20 at the auditorium of First Baptist Church in McDonald, where they received gold cups, awards and certificates.

Participating were the following:

UHailey, Jenna and Hannah Frederick, daughters of Adam and Nancy Frederick of Niles.

UAmanda and Rachel Bancroft, daughters of John and Lora Bancroft of Hubbard.

UEmma Reed, daughter of Ben and Jennifer Reed of Niles.

USarah Miller, daughter of Colin and Leanne Miller of Girard.

USarah and Rachel Mathews, daughters of John and Chris Mathews of Girard.

Rachel Bancroft also played at the YSU-YMTA Masters Competition in May and at the Ohio Assemblies of God Fine Arts Festival, where she was awarded a superior and honors rating and an invitation to perform in the nationals. She achieved a superior rating for her performance at the nationals in August in Orlando, Fla.

The nine young pianists are students of Patricia Paridon, who has completed her first year as District 1-B chairwoman for the OFMC festival. Dick and Audrey Rhinehart are the state chairs for the National Federation of Music Clubs.