It Was A Musical Night To Remember
With the poise and skill of professional pianists, three contestants displayed their love and devotion for their instrument to a captivated audience in a regional amateur competition for classical pianists recently held in Ridgewood.
Perched on the edges of their seats, many in the audience were evidently piano players with their perfect posture, backs straight and knees and feet together, softly tapping to the music flowing gracefully from the fingers of the pianist. Some sat with their eyes closed swaying slowly with the motion of the music. Others stared in awe at the style and skill of each pianist as their fingers mimicked the movements of composers centuries gone but remembered and honored with each note.
The contestants were the three finalists in the inaugural Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. The three-day competition was held at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood and was sponsored and organized by Phred Meller, owner of Phred Piano Expression, the largest piano instruction group in Bergen County.
According to Meller, the competition was "open to anyone to whom playing the piano is more than just a hobby but less than a profession."
Modeled after the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition in fort Worth, Texas, this inaugural event offers a chance for dedicated amateurs to compete under professional style condition, said Meller.
The competition began with 25 amateurs from as far as Illinois and Virginia, including six from New Jersey. In the first round, each contestant played a 10-minute piece over two sessions. The competition was then narrowed to eight amateurs for the next night and finally down to three for the final.
Judges for the final round included Sahar Arzruni, internationally renowned concert pianist, composer and lecturer, who toured for many years with Victor Borge, Paul Somers, publisher and editor of Classical New Jersey, a weekly magazine devoted to classical music in the tri-state area and finally Christian Wilhjelm, conductor of the nationally acclaimed Ridgewood Concert Band.
"We had a real difficult time judging this event," said Wilhjelm, "The musicians were all of the highest order and we really had to discuss the winner. That really speaks for the high level of playing."
Co-sponsor for the event was Faust Harrison Pianos, America's largest independent retailer of fully restored Steinways and the tri-state area's only factory authorized Mason & Hamlin pianos. The piano used for the competition was a Mason & Hamlin donated by Faust Harrison.
Still standing after the three days of stiff competition were Lorraine Fuchs, an administrator from New York City, Yuki Fukuoka, a homemaker from New York City and Steve Ryan, a computer consultant also from New York City.
Fuchs, the first to step up to the piano, enchanted the crowd with an inspiring rendition of Beethoven's Opus 111, his final opus written when he was completely deaf.
"A quite abstract piece, it breaks free from his previous sonata form," said Michael Harrison, co-owner of Faust Harrison, "and she played it beautifully."
Second to the piano, Ryan awed the crowd with his sensitive touch and technical skill in a wonderful rendition of Brahms' Opus 116.
"He really made the piano talk to the audience in a very elegant way," said Wilhjelm.
The final contestant, Fukuoka performed Liszt's Tarantella Aus Venerzia E Napol, Debussy's Feux D'Artifice XII, preludes, Bk II and Liszt's Etude D'Execution Transcendante, Fm, No. 10, her long, strong fingers floating over the keys with learned ease.
"She played beautifully," said Ridgewood High School student and aspiring pianist Ella Hutson. "It will take a few more years before I will be able to play like that."
In the end it was the skills of Steve Ryan that took home both the Gold Medal and the audience choice award.
For the 41-year-old computer consultant this was only his second appearance in front of an audience as a soloist since 1982. He said he was very nervous before the event and he went through a lot of psychological preparing in order to play.
"Preparing psychologically was the hard part, the notes are easy," said Ryan. He said he chose the Brahms piece because he identified with it and afterward was pleased with "It was scary but nice," said Ryan. "I wanted to present the piece and connect with the audience and I feel I accomplished that."
When asked whom it was he called right after he was presented with the gold medal, Ryan said he called his teacher, Seymour Bernstein. "I would not have been able to play in public or successfully without him."
The "amateur" competition was not without its rewards. For winning the event, Ryan took home a check for $1,000 and will perform in a future recital at the showroom of Faust Harrison Pianos in New York City during their fall series entitled Pianist for the New Millennium.
"I am really excited to have Steve(Ryan) play in our showroom," said Harrison. "I was very impressed with him and I know he will make a fine addition to our series."
After the event, Meller, whose hard work and dedication made this event a reality, was thrilled with the competition and the outcome. "Steve put on an amazing performance and deserved the gold medal."
Meller hopes to make the Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs an annual event and hopes that now that this year's event is over he can go back to what he loves; teaching piano.
"I have not played my piano in six months," said Meller. "If I had known all the work involved with this event I might not have started it. However now that it is over I am happy and proud I did."
Perched on the edges of their seats, many in the audience were evidently piano players with their perfect posture, backs straight and knees and feet together, softly tapping to the music flowing gracefully from the fingers of the pianist. Some sat with their eyes closed swaying slowly with the motion of the music. Others stared in awe at the style and skill of each pianist as their fingers mimicked the movements of composers centuries gone but remembered and honored with each note.
The contestants were the three finalists in the inaugural Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. The three-day competition was held at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood and was sponsored and organized by Phred Meller, owner of Phred Piano Expression, the largest piano instruction group in Bergen County.
According to Meller, the competition was "open to anyone to whom playing the piano is more than just a hobby but less than a profession."
Modeled after the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition in fort Worth, Texas, this inaugural event offers a chance for dedicated amateurs to compete under professional style condition, said Meller.
The competition began with 25 amateurs from as far as Illinois and Virginia, including six from New Jersey. In the first round, each contestant played a 10-minute piece over two sessions. The competition was then narrowed to eight amateurs for the next night and finally down to three for the final.
Judges for the final round included Sahar Arzruni, internationally renowned concert pianist, composer and lecturer, who toured for many years with Victor Borge, Paul Somers, publisher and editor of Classical New Jersey, a weekly magazine devoted to classical music in the tri-state area and finally Christian Wilhjelm, conductor of the nationally acclaimed Ridgewood Concert Band.
"We had a real difficult time judging this event," said Wilhjelm, "The musicians were all of the highest order and we really had to discuss the winner. That really speaks for the high level of playing."
Co-sponsor for the event was Faust Harrison Pianos, America's largest independent retailer of fully restored Steinways and the tri-state area's only factory authorized Mason & Hamlin pianos. The piano used for the competition was a Mason & Hamlin donated by Faust Harrison.
Still standing after the three days of stiff competition were Lorraine Fuchs, an administrator from New York City, Yuki Fukuoka, a homemaker from New York City and Steve Ryan, a computer consultant also from New York City.
Fuchs, the first to step up to the piano, enchanted the crowd with an inspiring rendition of Beethoven's Opus 111, his final opus written when he was completely deaf.
"A quite abstract piece, it breaks free from his previous sonata form," said Michael Harrison, co-owner of Faust Harrison, "and she played it beautifully."
Second to the piano, Ryan awed the crowd with his sensitive touch and technical skill in a wonderful rendition of Brahms' Opus 116.
"He really made the piano talk to the audience in a very elegant way," said Wilhjelm.
The final contestant, Fukuoka performed Liszt's Tarantella Aus Venerzia E Napol, Debussy's Feux D'Artifice XII, preludes, Bk II and Liszt's Etude D'Execution Transcendante, Fm, No. 10, her long, strong fingers floating over the keys with learned ease.
"She played beautifully," said Ridgewood High School student and aspiring pianist Ella Hutson. "It will take a few more years before I will be able to play like that."
In the end it was the skills of Steve Ryan that took home both the Gold Medal and the audience choice award.
For the 41-year-old computer consultant this was only his second appearance in front of an audience as a soloist since 1982. He said he was very nervous before the event and he went through a lot of psychological preparing in order to play.
"Preparing psychologically was the hard part, the notes are easy," said Ryan. He said he chose the Brahms piece because he identified with it and afterward was pleased with "It was scary but nice," said Ryan. "I wanted to present the piece and connect with the audience and I feel I accomplished that."
When asked whom it was he called right after he was presented with the gold medal, Ryan said he called his teacher, Seymour Bernstein. "I would not have been able to play in public or successfully without him."
The "amateur" competition was not without its rewards. For winning the event, Ryan took home a check for $1,000 and will perform in a future recital at the showroom of Faust Harrison Pianos in New York City during their fall series entitled Pianist for the New Millennium.
"I am really excited to have Steve(Ryan) play in our showroom," said Harrison. "I was very impressed with him and I know he will make a fine addition to our series."
After the event, Meller, whose hard work and dedication made this event a reality, was thrilled with the competition and the outcome. "Steve put on an amazing performance and deserved the gold medal."
Meller hopes to make the Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs an annual event and hopes that now that this year's event is over he can go back to what he loves; teaching piano.
"I have not played my piano in six months," said Meller. "If I had known all the work involved with this event I might not have started it. However now that it is over I am happy and proud I did."
Piano Recital In Village Was Lots Of ‘Phun’
A standing room only audience of 230 parents, relatives and friends rose in unison to applaud the 50 pianists who had entertained them at the annual Phred Piano Expression holiday recital held at the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood. There were balloons, food, refreshments, a number of awards and even two mystery guest artists, but it was the music coming from the Steinway that stole the show.
Brendan Berger of Midland Park looking totally professional in his black tuxedo, played a confidant and crisp Try It. Robert and David Cunningham of Ridgewood, performing in their first recital, were uncommonly steady with Ode to Joy and Hiking, respectively. The brothers Cunningham were the recipients of the Most Consistent Player’s award. Stephan McNamara of Ridgewood won the Hardest Worker award and thrilled the audience with his classic version of Minuet.
“My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the recital because it was so well done,” said Tricia McNamara, Stephen’s mother. “The music was well performed and we were all very proud of Stephen. The event inspired us to go home and fight over the piano. My 76-year-old father immediately sat down at the keyboard and began trying to sound out many of the pieces he had heard. We spent the rest of the day making music together. I love the Phred method and our teacher, Jody.”
Brittany Rose Kitchen of Glen Rock, looked lovely and played beautifully. Her rendition of Walking in the Air delighted the audience.
Jennifer Cortright, a 12-year-old from Ridgewood, played a rather hip version of Auld Lang Syne. “Jennifer almost backed out at the last minute, said Eileen Cortright of her daughter. “But now that it’s over and she played so well, she’s very glad she did it.”
Jody Sinkway, a popular Fun ‘N’ Easy piano course teacher, was again a special guest vocalist, delighting the audience with her rendition of Beautiful Things from Dr. Doolittle. Susan Davison of Ridgewood, one of nine adults who participated, seemed very comfortable with her pensive Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. And what would a Phred Piano Expression recital be without the Brennan Brothers of Ridgewood. James, 13 and Chris, 11, playing in their sixth recital, were outstanding with Prelude and Saber Dance, respectively.
“It was a great day,” continued McNamara. “We look forward to next year.”
Phred Piano Expression offers an innovative approach to piano. Lessons at the student’s home or at Phred’s studio in Hillsdale, are divided into three parts: touch, sight-reading and sound-logic. Goal of the program as taught by Phred and his fellow Fun ‘N” Easy instructors, is to make piano playing “phun.
Brendan Berger of Midland Park looking totally professional in his black tuxedo, played a confidant and crisp Try It. Robert and David Cunningham of Ridgewood, performing in their first recital, were uncommonly steady with Ode to Joy and Hiking, respectively. The brothers Cunningham were the recipients of the Most Consistent Player’s award. Stephan McNamara of Ridgewood won the Hardest Worker award and thrilled the audience with his classic version of Minuet.
“My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the recital because it was so well done,” said Tricia McNamara, Stephen’s mother. “The music was well performed and we were all very proud of Stephen. The event inspired us to go home and fight over the piano. My 76-year-old father immediately sat down at the keyboard and began trying to sound out many of the pieces he had heard. We spent the rest of the day making music together. I love the Phred method and our teacher, Jody.”
Brittany Rose Kitchen of Glen Rock, looked lovely and played beautifully. Her rendition of Walking in the Air delighted the audience.
Jennifer Cortright, a 12-year-old from Ridgewood, played a rather hip version of Auld Lang Syne. “Jennifer almost backed out at the last minute, said Eileen Cortright of her daughter. “But now that it’s over and she played so well, she’s very glad she did it.”
Jody Sinkway, a popular Fun ‘N’ Easy piano course teacher, was again a special guest vocalist, delighting the audience with her rendition of Beautiful Things from Dr. Doolittle. Susan Davison of Ridgewood, one of nine adults who participated, seemed very comfortable with her pensive Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. And what would a Phred Piano Expression recital be without the Brennan Brothers of Ridgewood. James, 13 and Chris, 11, playing in their sixth recital, were outstanding with Prelude and Saber Dance, respectively.
“It was a great day,” continued McNamara. “We look forward to next year.”
Phred Piano Expression offers an innovative approach to piano. Lessons at the student’s home or at Phred’s studio in Hillsdale, are divided into three parts: touch, sight-reading and sound-logic. Goal of the program as taught by Phred and his fellow Fun ‘N” Easy instructors, is to make piano playing “phun.
Amateur Pianists To Tickle The Ivories For Prizes
Phred Meller is passionate about the piano. He loves teaching it, playing it and listening to it.
On May 17, 18 and 19, he will be in his glory when the Second Annual Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs is held at the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood.
Thirty-nine pianists will descend on the village from as far away as Mexico in pursuit of the $1,000 first prize and the opportunity for a future recital at the showroom of Faust Harrison Pianos in New York City.
“Classical piano is so youth-oriented that if you’re over 30 there’s nothing for you,” said Meller. He decided to make 35 the youngest age for participants so that the underserved older amateurs would have a performing venue. Amateur competitions for that age group are so rare that competitors are trekking to Ridgewood from New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois and Texas as well as from several other states. Many of these pianists also compete each year at the Van Cliburn competition for Amateur Pianists in Texas and the Concours des Grandes Amateurs in Paris.
“The players are very appreciative to have another place to compete,” said Meller. He noted that Ridgewood has a lively arts community and that the competition is attracting both a local audience as well as people from much further away. “We’re building a real community backing for this event,” he said.
The jury for this year’s competition features David Dubal, noted pianist, teacher and radio personality and a member of the Juilliard School faculty since 1983, Stuart Isacoff, pianist and composer, editor of Piano Today and a performer and lecturer at the Van Cliburn Institute, Dr. Angelin Chang, an award-winning pianist who is a member of the piano faculty at Rutgers University, and Paul Somers, publisher and editor of Classical New Jersey.
A new feature this year will be three master classes conducted by jury members so community members will be able to learn as well as enjoy music. Each master class is open to 10 experienced pianists. The fee to participate is $75. Chang’s class will be on Friday from 12 to 3 p.m., Isacoff’s on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Dubal’s on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Auditors may attend for $10.
Meller’s background is as an actor and a pop/jazz pianist at clubs. He was a theater and English major at U.C.L.A. and later took extension courses in the piano at Juilliard and at Manhattan School of Music. His user-friendly teaching method is meant to appeal to people who don’t have four hours to devote to practice every day but who want to play what he calls the “good stuff” right away. “The world can only accommodate about 10 concert pianists at one time,” he said, “but many people want to learn to play the piano.” For his students and for anyone who wants to listen to excellent piano performances right in Ridgewood, the competition promises to be an outstanding opportunity.
On May 17, 18 and 19, he will be in his glory when the Second Annual Northeastern Classical Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs is held at the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood.
Thirty-nine pianists will descend on the village from as far away as Mexico in pursuit of the $1,000 first prize and the opportunity for a future recital at the showroom of Faust Harrison Pianos in New York City.
“Classical piano is so youth-oriented that if you’re over 30 there’s nothing for you,” said Meller. He decided to make 35 the youngest age for participants so that the underserved older amateurs would have a performing venue. Amateur competitions for that age group are so rare that competitors are trekking to Ridgewood from New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois and Texas as well as from several other states. Many of these pianists also compete each year at the Van Cliburn competition for Amateur Pianists in Texas and the Concours des Grandes Amateurs in Paris.
“The players are very appreciative to have another place to compete,” said Meller. He noted that Ridgewood has a lively arts community and that the competition is attracting both a local audience as well as people from much further away. “We’re building a real community backing for this event,” he said.
The jury for this year’s competition features David Dubal, noted pianist, teacher and radio personality and a member of the Juilliard School faculty since 1983, Stuart Isacoff, pianist and composer, editor of Piano Today and a performer and lecturer at the Van Cliburn Institute, Dr. Angelin Chang, an award-winning pianist who is a member of the piano faculty at Rutgers University, and Paul Somers, publisher and editor of Classical New Jersey.
A new feature this year will be three master classes conducted by jury members so community members will be able to learn as well as enjoy music. Each master class is open to 10 experienced pianists. The fee to participate is $75. Chang’s class will be on Friday from 12 to 3 p.m., Isacoff’s on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Dubal’s on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Auditors may attend for $10.
Meller’s background is as an actor and a pop/jazz pianist at clubs. He was a theater and English major at U.C.L.A. and later took extension courses in the piano at Juilliard and at Manhattan School of Music. His user-friendly teaching method is meant to appeal to people who don’t have four hours to devote to practice every day but who want to play what he calls the “good stuff” right away. “The world can only accommodate about 10 concert pianists at one time,” he said, “but many people want to learn to play the piano.” For his students and for anyone who wants to listen to excellent piano performances right in Ridgewood, the competition promises to be an outstanding opportunity.
