Harris Music Contest
The next Harris Music Contest will be held on March 6, 2021. Registration is now closed.
Event rules and details. Event flyer.
Event rules and details. Event flyer.
Top Photos L-R: Andrew Keenan (ADH, 2017); Gabby Wang (ADH, 2017); MarySue Hormel Harris (2013); Contestants (2013 )
Middle Photos L-R: Blake Zimmerli (2019); Tedd Lund (2019) Contestants (2019); Lana Kenyon, MarySue Hormel Harris, Holly Johnson (2019)
Bottom Photos L-R: Contestants (2020); Emma Stanley (2020); Maria Vu (2020); Emma Grush (2020)
Middle Photos L-R: Blake Zimmerli (2019); Tedd Lund (2019) Contestants (2019); Lana Kenyon, MarySue Hormel Harris, Holly Johnson (2019)
Bottom Photos L-R: Contestants (2020); Emma Stanley (2020); Maria Vu (2020); Emma Grush (2020)
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.
making the day go smoothly.
2020 Contest Winners
Ages 6-8:
Levi Phillips, Piano Champion
Emma Potter, Piano Runner-Up
William Meyer & George Yang, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 9-11:
Maria Vu, Piano Champion
Charlotte Collins, Other Instruments (Marimba) Champion
Emma Grush, Piano Runner-Up
Maria Vu, Other Instruments (Violin) Runner UP
Ruby Liu & Claire Pepper, Piano Honorable Mention
Ian Krusemark & Jude Krusemark, Other Instruments (Violin) Honorable Mention
Ages 12-14:
Blake Zimmerli, Piano Champion
Emma Stanley, Other Instrument (Flute) Champion
Alayna Kennedy, Piano Runner-Up
David Vu, Other Instrument (Cello) Runner-Up
Seanna Kubas & David Vu, Piano Honorable Mention
Namo Afanou (Flute) & Blake Zimmerli (Marimba) Other Instruments Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18:
Abigail Muller, Champion
Abigail Chalmers, Other Instrument (Alto Saxophone) Champion
Katie Shin, Piano Runner-Up
Matthew Grush, Other Instrument (Cello) Runner-Up
Andrew Keenan & Natalie Shell, Piano Honorable Mention
Chloey Camerer (Flute) & Shepard Goossen (Cello), Other Instruments Honorable Mention
Thanks to 16 area piano teachers who encouraged their students to practice hard and enter the competition: Will Baily, Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Ann Flisrand, Erin Grush, Karen Halls, Kelsey Korfhage, Brian Koser, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Jodi Shell, and Lorene Strobel
Ages 6-8:
Levi Phillips, Piano Champion
Emma Potter, Piano Runner-Up
William Meyer & George Yang, Piano Honorable Mention
Ages 9-11:
Maria Vu, Piano Champion
Charlotte Collins, Other Instruments (Marimba) Champion
Emma Grush, Piano Runner-Up
Maria Vu, Other Instruments (Violin) Runner UP
Ruby Liu & Claire Pepper, Piano Honorable Mention
Ian Krusemark & Jude Krusemark, Other Instruments (Violin) Honorable Mention
Ages 12-14:
Blake Zimmerli, Piano Champion
Emma Stanley, Other Instrument (Flute) Champion
Alayna Kennedy, Piano Runner-Up
David Vu, Other Instrument (Cello) Runner-Up
Seanna Kubas & David Vu, Piano Honorable Mention
Namo Afanou (Flute) & Blake Zimmerli (Marimba) Other Instruments Honorable Mention
Ages 15-18:
Abigail Muller, Champion
Abigail Chalmers, Other Instrument (Alto Saxophone) Champion
Katie Shin, Piano Runner-Up
Matthew Grush, Other Instrument (Cello) Runner-Up
Andrew Keenan & Natalie Shell, Piano Honorable Mention
Chloey Camerer (Flute) & Shepard Goossen (Cello), Other Instruments Honorable Mention
Thanks to 16 area piano teachers who encouraged their students to practice hard and enter the competition: Will Baily, Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Ann Flisrand, Erin Grush, Karen Halls, Kelsey Korfhage, Brian Koser, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Jodi Shell, and Lorene Strobel
Please contact Holly at 507-433-4243 or holly@hormelhistorichome.org if you have questions.