Harris Music Contest
The next Harris Music Contest will be held on March 7, 2020. Registration opens January 1, 2020. Click here to register online.
Print registration form and rules.
Print registration form and rules.
Top Photos L-R: Andrew Keenan (ADH, 2017); Gabby Wang (ADH, 2017); MarySue Hormel Harris (2013); Contestants (2013)Bottom Photos L-R: Blake Zimmerli (2019); Tedd Lund (2019) Contestants (2019); Lana Kenyon, MarySue Hormel Harris, Holly Johnson (2019)
In 2012 the Harris Piano Competition was created as a way to further music appreciation and education for area youth. The Competition is named after MarySue Hormel Harris who, through a trust, provides funds for the Hormel Historic Home to be able to offer music programs to the community. Mrs. Harris is the granddaughter of Ben F. Hormel who was George's youngest brother.
Special guest for the events have included MarySue Hormel Harris, Dr. Andrew Hisey of the University of St. Thomas, and Mory Ortman, a professional musician from New York and Peggy Reich, concert pianist. These guests have shared their career paths and offered suggestions on how young musicians can pursue a life of music both professionally and recreationally.
Special guest for the events have included MarySue Hormel Harris, Dr. Andrew Hisey of the University of St. Thomas, and Mory Ortman, a professional musician from New York and Peggy Reich, concert pianist. These guests have shared their career paths and offered suggestions on how young musicians can pursue a life of music both professionally and recreationally.
Thank you to the Historic Paramount Theatre for allowing us to use their beautiful space for making the day go smoothly.
2019 Contest Winners
List of Melodic Instrument Honorees
Ages 12-14
Matthew Grush, (Cello) Champion
Blake Zimmerli, (Marimba) Runner-Up
Shepard Goossen (Cello) & Emma Stanley (Flute), Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18
John Lukes, (Marimba) Champion
Tedd Lund, (Cello) Runner-Up
Abigail Chalmers (Saxophone) & Selah Goossen (Clarinet), Honorable Mention
List of Piano Honorees
Ages 6-8:
Emma Grush, Piano Champion
Levi Phillips, Piano Runner-Up
George Yang & Juliette Zimmerli, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 9-11:
Meicy Liu, Piano Champion
Claire Pepper, Piano Runner-Up
Eleanor Harthan & Maria Vu, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 12-14:
David Vu, Piano Champion
Winston Walkup, Piano Runner-Up
Alayna Kennedy & Blake Zimmerli, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18:
Aaron Knoll, Champion
Tedd Lund, Piano Runner-Up
John Lukes & Katie Shin, Piano Honorable Mention
Thanks to 14 area piano teachers who encouraged their students to practice hard and enter the competition: Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Ann Flisrand, Erin Grush, Karen Halls, David Hovland, Brian Koser, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, and Lorene Strobel
List of Melodic Instrument Honorees
Ages 12-14
Matthew Grush, (Cello) Champion
Blake Zimmerli, (Marimba) Runner-Up
Shepard Goossen (Cello) & Emma Stanley (Flute), Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18
John Lukes, (Marimba) Champion
Tedd Lund, (Cello) Runner-Up
Abigail Chalmers (Saxophone) & Selah Goossen (Clarinet), Honorable Mention
List of Piano Honorees
Ages 6-8:
Emma Grush, Piano Champion
Levi Phillips, Piano Runner-Up
George Yang & Juliette Zimmerli, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 9-11:
Meicy Liu, Piano Champion
Claire Pepper, Piano Runner-Up
Eleanor Harthan & Maria Vu, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 12-14:
David Vu, Piano Champion
Winston Walkup, Piano Runner-Up
Alayna Kennedy & Blake Zimmerli, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18:
Aaron Knoll, Champion
Tedd Lund, Piano Runner-Up
John Lukes & Katie Shin, Piano Honorable Mention
Thanks to 14 area piano teachers who encouraged their students to practice hard and enter the competition: Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Ann Flisrand, Erin Grush, Karen Halls, David Hovland, Brian Koser, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, and Lorene Strobel
Please contact Holly at 507-433-4243 or holly@hormelhistorichome.org if you have questions.