These students are among those who will be auditioning for membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians on Saturday, May 17. Pictured are (sitting, from left) Chandler Rushing and Anne Marie Sceals; (standing) Kaitlyn Schwarz, Jacob Levy, and Katie Dedmon. Not pictured are Morris Tritt, Elizabeth Tritt, Katherine Tritt, Katie Lewis, and Hannah Conway. They are the students of Jane Blackburn and Rachel Conway.

Local Pianists to Participate in National Piano Guild Auditions

Ten Brownsville piano pupils, from the studios of Jane Blackburn and Rachel Conway, have registered as candidates for membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians.

The organization is sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Teacher Division of the American College of Musicians. Blackburn and Conway are both members.

Students auditioning are Hannah Conway, Katie Dedmon, Jacob Levy, Katie Lewis, Chandler Rushing, Anne Marie Sceals, Kaitlyn Schwarz, Elizabeth Tritt, Katherine Tritt and Morris Tritt.

The young pianists will perform in the National Piano-Playing Auditions on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church. The American College of Musicians will evaluate the students’ performances based on their presentation of baroque, classical, romantic and modern works. Students will perform in the presence of a professional adjudicator chosen by the national organization.

This year’s adjudicator is Mrs. Kathie Cepparulo of Jackson, Tenn. Mrs. Cepparulo, a nationally certified piano teacher and a licensed Kindermusik instructor, has taught in the Jackson area for 33 years. She has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Cepparulo is an adjunct piano instructor at Union University, has a private piano studio, and her Kindermusik program at West Jackson Baptist Church serves over 50 families. She is a member of several professional organizations, including Music Teachers National Association, Tennessee Music Teachers Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers, and Kindermusik Educator's Association.