Harris Music Contest
Upcoming Contest Date: March 4, 2023
Concert & Awards Ceremony: March 5 at 2pm at the Paramount Theatre
Registration is now closed for our 2023 Contest
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); George Yang (2022)
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); George Yang (2022)
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.
2022 Contest Top Performers
Piano Honorees
Ages 6-8
Honorable Mention: Aveda Galle/ Penelope Frank
Runner Up: Simon Phillips
The Hunters by David Carr Glover
Champion: Xinzhu Xiang
Fuego de la Pasión by Wynn-Anne Rossi
Ages 9-11
Honorable Yuhan Wang/ Chit Su
Runner Up: Sophia Frank
German Dance by Joseph Haydn
Champion: George Yang
Rondo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ages 12-14
Honorable Mention: Clair Pepper / Leon Ma
Runner Up: Maria Kim Vu
Album for the Young Op. 68, No. 30 by Robert Schumann
Champion: Abraham Phillips
Prelude from Suite Bergamasque by Claude Debussy
Ages 15-18
Honorable Mention: Rory Pollock / Alayna Kennedy
Runner Up: Abigail Brand
Allegretto by Franz Schubert
Champion: Blake Zimmerli
Gai Printemps by Mel Bonis
Melodic Instrument Honorees
Ages 6-11
Honorable Mention: Callie McRae (strings) / Julia Niethammer (strings)
Runner Up: Ellie Nelson, Violin
Long Long Ago with Variation by T.H. Bayly
Champion: Jude Krusemark, violin
Humoresque by A. Dvorak
Ages 12-14
Honorable Mention: Ella Diaz (marimba) / Leon Ma (flute)
Runner Up: Eleanor Harthan, woodwind
Siciliana & Giga by GF Handel
Champion: Emma Stanley, Flute
Andalouse by Emile Pessard
Ages 15-18
Honorable Mention: Shepard Goossen (string) / Mikayla Berg (Mallet Percussion)
Runner Up: Blake Zimmerli (marimba)
A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun by Blake Tyson
Champion: Medea Joetten (violin)
Scène de Ballet by Charles-Auguste de Bériot
Special thanks to the music teachers who encouraged their students to study, practice and participate:
William Arnold, Cheryl Berglund, Kathryn Bisanti, Aimee Chalmers, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Erin Grush, Linda Hoeppner, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Soojin Lee, Rebecca Merblum, Madison Nelson, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Peggy Reich, Gene Schott, Lorene Strobel
Piano Honorees
Ages 6-8
Honorable Mention: Aveda Galle/ Penelope Frank
Runner Up: Simon Phillips
The Hunters by David Carr Glover
Champion: Xinzhu Xiang
Fuego de la Pasión by Wynn-Anne Rossi
Ages 9-11
Honorable Yuhan Wang/ Chit Su
Runner Up: Sophia Frank
German Dance by Joseph Haydn
Champion: George Yang
Rondo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ages 12-14
Honorable Mention: Clair Pepper / Leon Ma
Runner Up: Maria Kim Vu
Album for the Young Op. 68, No. 30 by Robert Schumann
Champion: Abraham Phillips
Prelude from Suite Bergamasque by Claude Debussy
Ages 15-18
Honorable Mention: Rory Pollock / Alayna Kennedy
Runner Up: Abigail Brand
Allegretto by Franz Schubert
Champion: Blake Zimmerli
Gai Printemps by Mel Bonis
Melodic Instrument Honorees
Ages 6-11
Honorable Mention: Callie McRae (strings) / Julia Niethammer (strings)
Runner Up: Ellie Nelson, Violin
Long Long Ago with Variation by T.H. Bayly
Champion: Jude Krusemark, violin
Humoresque by A. Dvorak
Ages 12-14
Honorable Mention: Ella Diaz (marimba) / Leon Ma (flute)
Runner Up: Eleanor Harthan, woodwind
Siciliana & Giga by GF Handel
Champion: Emma Stanley, Flute
Andalouse by Emile Pessard
Ages 15-18
Honorable Mention: Shepard Goossen (string) / Mikayla Berg (Mallet Percussion)
Runner Up: Blake Zimmerli (marimba)
A Cricket Sang and Set the Sun by Blake Tyson
Champion: Medea Joetten (violin)
Scène de Ballet by Charles-Auguste de Bériot
Special thanks to the music teachers who encouraged their students to study, practice and participate:
William Arnold, Cheryl Berglund, Kathryn Bisanti, Aimee Chalmers, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Erin Grush, Linda Hoeppner, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Soojin Lee, Rebecca Merblum, Madison Nelson, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Peggy Reich, Gene Schott, Lorene Strobel
Questions? Contact Lana Kenyon at 914-924-8886 or piano@hormelhistorichome.org.