Monson Music students receive awards, perform at recital
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Monson Music piano students take a group photo at the Spring Awards Recital on July 19. Top row, from left, Jace Keys, Summer Owens and Conner Keys. Third row, from left, Emma Britten and Avery Keys. Second row, from left, Gentry Keys, Jentry Souder and RayLee Elliott. Front row, from left, Jayton Elliott, Regan Souder and Athena Stingel. Those unable to make the recital were Cooper Delgado, Alyssa Harms, Luke Ochoa, Brooke Wiebe and Courtney Wiebe. (Courtesy Photo)

Alanis Billings, 14, poses for a picture with the Old Settlers Rodeo announcer, Ken Stonecipher, and her mentor, Gerald Monson of Childress after performing the National Anthem at the rodeo. The daughter of Randy Billings and Rhonda Bentley of Paducah, she is a freshman at Guthrie High School. (Courtesy Photo)
By Whitney Wyatt/The Red River Sun—
CHILDRESS – Sixteen Monson Music Studio of Childress piano students performed during the Spring Awards Recital in the Calvary Baptist Church sanctuary on July 19.
Monson Music Studio of Childress owner Gerald Monson passed out audition certificates, report cards and pins. He also presented awards.
The students performed for a judge on July 16, Monson said. Avery Keys, Conner Keys and Jace Keys received trophies for playing 10-piece programs by memory for the judge. This was Avery’s fifth year, Conner’s seventh year and Jace’s seventh year. They will get their pictures in the nationally printed Piano Guild Notes magazine.
The Highest Judge Audition Score was awarded to RayLee Elliott and Jentry Souder. Alyssa Harms was first runner-up, Emma Britten was second runner-up, Courtney Wiebe received third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Athena Stingel. Britten also received an award for Most Progress for a Beginner, and Elliott won the Most Improvement award.
While Britten received a mini trophy and a perfect attendance pin for attending all the piano group classes, Harms, Avery, Conner, Gentry, Jace, Luke Ochoa, Jentry, Reagan Souder, Brooke Wiebe and Courtney Wiebe received mini trophies for attending all classes except one.
The recital was originally scheduled on May 10 at the Childress Junior High Auditorium, but it was rescheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Monson said. Unlike past years, no refreshments were served following the recital.