Going for the Gold in Music

Area music students are preparing to take their skills all the way to the Olympics… of music.

Students Emerson Haven, Dru Daniels and Hannah Bradley spent Sunday afternoon with teacher Suzanne Burg practicing arpeggios and triads for their upcoming trip to the Scale Olympics being held at Otterbien University in Columbus.

The students participating say while they are nervous, they feel that all of their practice will pay off.

"It’s a little bit nervous," said Haven.  "It helps when you’ve ben there before and it helps when you have friendly judges, which you usually do."

"I think I can really get everything right," added Daniels.

The bi-annual competition is sponsored by the Ohio Music Teachers Association.

Students prepare for eight events including scales, sight reading and even a written theory test.

Burg said music has the power to comfort and uplift those who play or listen to it.

"For me it’s that place that I go when I’m really upset or tried by life’s circumstances," said Burg.  "It brings peace to me, It can bring peace and ministry to people that are listening. I think it’s that bit of beauty that we all need in this world."

After the contest, Burg said the musical skills her students learn will benefit them beyond the keyboard to other instruments.