Students of Beverly Bigge presented two “Students’ Choice” piano recitals at the Centennial Stone Church on May 15. An awards ceremony followed each recital.
Emily Wedel, daughter of Brad and Helene Wedel, was awarded the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) fifth (Grand) gold cup and Chelsea Hofer, daughter of Ken and Jodi Hofer, was awarded the fourth gold cup. Both students participated in piano solo and piano concerto events.
Second gold cups were presented to McKenzie Hofer, Abby Trandall and Jed Waldner.
First gold cups were awarded to Allison Blom, Cameron Cutshaw, Jordyn Cutshaw, Maggie Decker and Elaina Hohm.
Students receiving the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Study award for five or more years of study included:
• Five years: Maggie Decker, Sarah Fuerst, Kolby Hofer, Elaina Hohm, Sutton Senska;
• Six years: Hannah Farmer, Kate Hamilton;
• Seven years: Rachel Derksen, Victoria Larson, Abigail Pohl, Joy Trautman, Jed Waldner;
• Eight years: Allyson Boomsma, Isabel Gilbert, McKenzie Hofer, Abby Trandall;
• Nine years: Lizzie Farmer;

•Ten years: Claire Trautman;
• Eleven years: Chelsea Hofer;
• Twelve years: Jaime O’Neill, Abby Thomas, Emily Wedel.
Joy Trautman was recognized for being selected to the S.D. Middle School All-State Jazz Band for piano.
Cameron Cutshaw, Maggie Decker, Kate Hamilton, Alexandra Hohm, Audri Hohm, Elaina Hohm, and Abby Trandall received blue ribbons for superior ratings at the S.D. Bandmasters Association Elementary Piano Contest at Redfield.
Allison Blom and Chelsea Hofer received superior ratings in the piano division at the SDHSAA Region 4 Solo/Ensemble Contest at Aberdeen.
Students who received NFMC certificates for superior ratings at the Junior Music Festival in Huron included:
• Piano solo: Anna Arhart, Allison Blom, Julia Blom, Cameron Cutshaw, Jordyn Cutshaw, Maggie Decker, Adam Farmer, Hannah Farmer, Lizzie Farmer, Sarah Fuerst, Isabel Gilbert, Kate Hamilton, Jeremy Hofer, Kolby Hofer, McKenzie Hofer, Alexandra Hohm, Audri Hohm, Elaina Hohm, Jonathan Koel, Victoria Larson, Jaime O’Neill, Abigail Pohl, Emily Pohl, Shiloh Senska, Sutton Senska, Abby Trandall, Joy Trautman, Jed Waldner, Emily Wedel.
• Piano Concerto: Lizzie Farmer, Emily Wedel;
• Piano Duet: Alexandra Hohm, Audri Hohm, Elaina Hohm, Jonathan Koel, McKenzie Hofer, Victoria Larson

Studio awards included:
• Studio Practice awards: Avery Ashbaugh, Lizzie Farmer, Isabel Gilbert, Kate Hamilton, Alexandra Hohm, Jonathan Koel, Claire Trautman, Joy Trautman
• Studio Technique Achievement awards: Anna Arhart, Julia Blom, Adam Farmer, Lizzie Farmer, Audri Hohm, Emily Pohl, Abby Thomas, Abby Trandall, Claire Trautman and Joy Trautman
• Studio Memorization awards: Anna Arhart, Hannah Farmer, Kate Hamilton, Alexandra Hohm, Audri Hohm, Elaina Hohm, Shiloh Senska, Sutton Senska, and JoyTrautman
• Studio Performance awards: All students received awards for sharing music at nursing homes, church, school and community events.
Graduating seniors Allison Blom, Allyson Boomsma, Chelsea Hofer and Claire Trautman received recognition for their many musical, academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
Bigge is a nationally certified teacher of music with the Music Teachers National Association and maintains a private studio in Huron.