Recent Awards

Lauren Boritzke received a first place star rating at the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo and Ensemble regional AND state competition with her performance of Mendelssohn’s Passion.

Maranatha Piano Prep School students performed and placed in the top at public and private school state music competitions. For the Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools State Fine Arts competition, students are awarded blue, red, or white ribbons based on their performance scores. Additionally, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given to the top three performers in the jr and senior high divisions.
• In the elementary division, both Levi Brill and Tim Davis won blue ribbons for their piano solos.
• In the Senior High Division, Danae Bumgardaner and Bryce Thompson took first place with their performance of My Jesus I Love Thee. They performed at Nationals in South Carolina last week which is a great honor for high school freshmen.
• Giordi Molitor and Hannah Brill took first place with their performance of Grieg’s Norwegian Dance No. 2, and they also performed at Nationals.
• Danae Bumgardaner took second place at state with her performance of Muczinski’s Prelude No.4, and she was chosen to play in the closing honors concert. Danae placed 8th out of 26 at Nationals.
• Elizabeth Hudson and Becky Meylor placed 2nd with their Sacred Duet and Elizabeth Hudson earned a Blue Ribbon with her classical solo.

Students participating in the National Piano Guild choose to memorize 1 to 20 pieces. Students are then rated on their performances. Cs are awarded for commendable aspects of their performance, and As are given if the student has particular areas that need attention. Students who perform more difficult pieces as well as several pieces have more opportunity to earn higher scores.
Excellent School Circle:
Grindatti, Audrey
Mankins, Grace
Meyers, Oliver
Excellent Plus Citywide Circle Rating
Ring, Kay
Bumgardaner, Kendra
Superior Minus Citywide Circle Rating
Piel, Maggie
Davis, Tim
Guse, Katrina
Bennett, Sadie
Ratcliffe, Daniel
Superior Citywide Circle Rating
Hockman, Emilie
Hockman, Megann
Boese, Rebecca
Maller, Jasmine
Boese, Elizabeth
Lewis, Rachel
Pill, Taylor
Ratcliffe, Rachel
Moll, Hannah
Onasch, Karissa
Thielke, Holden
Turcotte, Nathan
Henkelman, Christiana
Serra, Marianne
Superior Plus Top Talent Circle Rating
Hudson, Elizabeth
Meylor, Becky
Bumgardaner, Danae
Onasch, Karaline
Brill, Levi
Most Pieces:
Rebecca Boese
Tie for the Highest Score:
Karaline Onasch
Levi Brill

Maranatha Piano Prep School students of Ruth Brown, Janet Tschida, Melissa Aurand and Jessica Garrison gave outstanding performances at the National Federation of Music hosted on Saturday at Hartland Music Conservatory in Hartland, WI. Students performing in the piano solo event performed two memorized selections—one piece from a selected list at the student’s level, and one educational or classical piece. Professional feedback from adjudicators helps both the student and teacher identify strengths and weaknesses of the student and teacher. While challenging each student to master new musical and technical challenges is far more important than the actual contest ratings, teachers and students are always enthused when the hard work is rewarded with complimentary acknowledgement from an impartial adjudicator. Piano Prep School students were particularly commended for their level of musicianship and preparedness. The National Federation Piano Solo Results for 2011 are as follows:
Difficult Level 1: Caleb Mundt—Superior Rating
Moderately Difficult Level 1: Joshua Batzko—Superior Rating
Elementary Level 1: Mason Wehking—Superior Rating; Jared Wehking—Superior Rating
Primary Level 3: Wyatt Schilling—Superior Rating
Primary Level 2: Alexandra Ma—Superior Rating
Students also entered in the music theory testing event. The music theory event tests over music concepts the students are learning in their repertoire. The National Federation Music Theory Test Results for 2011 are as follows:
Level 6: Joshua Batzko—Superior Rating; Caleb Mundt—Superior Rating
Level 5: Jared Wehking—Superior Rating; Mason Wehking—Superior Rating
Level 3: Wyatt Schilling—Excellent Rating
Level 2: Alexandra Ma—Excellent Rating
Students, parents, and teachers are to be congratulated for their dedicated and proficient preparation for this event.

Students participating in the national music certificate program must perform a memorized piece from each musical period, two etudes, and a complete level of technique. Students are also tested on their sightreading, and ear training. The program is VERY intense and requires diligent preparation. For obvious reasons, higher levels are graded more stringently than lower levels.
Unlike typical music contests where the average scores are in the 90s, the national average score for National Music Certificate participants is in the lower 70s. The higher the students’ level, the more difficult it is to earn a higher score. Six of the nine students performed level 5 or higher, yet Maranatha Piano Prep School Students earned an Average Score of 84% which is well above the National Average.
Students exhibiting thorough and careful preparation, demonstrating interpretive skills, and performing repertoire with overall command and accuracy achieve “Honors.” The student earning HONORS include Lauren Boritzke—Level 8 and Danae Bumgardaner—Level 6.

To achieve “First Class Honors,” students must present a truly engaging and intelligent performance as well as display technical polish and finesse, definite and apt characterization, and a sense of spontaneity. Students earning FIRST CLASS HONORS include Jared Wehking—Level 1, Elizabeth Lewis—Level 3, Joshua Batzko—Level 4 and Philip Ledgerwood—Level 6.

Only exceptional performances achieve the standing of “First Class Honors with Distinction”—students must demonstrate complete technical command, perform with a confident, masterful style, and clearly demonstrate an authentic personal performance spark. Two students earned FIRST CLASS HONORS WITH DISTINCTION: C.C. Liu—Level 8 and Mason Wehking—Level 1. These two students also deserve special recognition for the following:

Highest score at the Watertown Testing Center: CC Liu

Highest score at his level in the state of Wisconsin: Mason Wehking

Maranatha Piano Prep School students performed and placed in the top at public and private school state fine arts competitions. For the Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools (WACS) State Fine Arts competition, students are awarded blue, red, or white ribbons based on their performance scores. Additionally, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given to the top three performers. The WACS Fine Arts Event is competitive, and the following students deserve to be highly commended for their fine accomplishments. In the Junior High Division of the WACS State Fine Arts Competition, Bryce Thompson placed first with his sacred piano solo Glory to His Name, and Bryce Thompson and Danae Bumgardaner placed first with their sacred piano duet Soldier’s Medley. In the High School Division of the WACS State Fine Arts Competition, Elizabeth Hudson and Laura Stevens placed first with their sacred piano duet Come Thou Fount, C.C. Liu and Giordi Molitor placed first with their classical duet The Ball by Bizet, and C.C. Liu placed first with her classical solo The Girl with the Flaxen Hair by Debussy. Additionally, Giordi Molitor and Hannah Brill both earned blue ribbon ratings with their sacred solos.

Lauren Boritzke received a first place star rating at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Solo and Ensemble regional and state competition with her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# Minor.

Five Maranatha Piano Prep School students successfully performed and tested at the National Federation of Music hosted on Saturday at Hartland Music Conservatory in Hartland, WI. Students performing in the piano solo event performed two memorized selections—one piece from a selected list at the student’s level, and one educational or classical piece. Professional feedback from adjudicators helps both the student and teacher identify strengths and weaknesses of the student and teacher. Even though final performances do not always go as well as a student and teacher may wish, adjudicators are typically able to distinguish between errors due to nerves and errors due to lack of proper preparation. While challenging each student to master new musical and technical challenges is far more important than contest ratings, teachers and students are always enthused when the hard work is rewarded with complimentary acknowledgement from an impartial adjudicator. This year’s results as follows: Moderately Difficult Level: Caleb Mundt—Superior Rating; Elementary Level 2: Adam Iverson—Superior Rating; Primary Level 4: Jared Wehking—Superior Rating; Primary Level 4: Mason Wehking—Superior Rating; Primary Level 1: Emma Iverson—Superior Rating. Students also entered the theory event. Emma Iverson, Jared Wehking, Caleb Mundt, and Mason Wehking earned a Superior Rating on their Theory Tests.

CC Liu is deserving of special recognition for her accomplishment this semester in winning the WI Sonata Contest held at the Rhapsody Arts Center in Verona, WI. CC’s performance of Sonata in G Major by Beethoven won her a first prize monetary scholarship and an invitation to perform in the “Winner’s Recital” in Madison at the Steinway Gallery. In addition to being very talented, CC works diligently and is very deserving of this award and honor.

Maranatha Piano Prep School hosted the National Music Certificate Program, and all of the final results have now been posted. Nine Maranatha Piano Prep School students participated in the National Music Certificate Program—an internationally recognized and standardized program with over 100,000 participants each year. The National Music Certificate Program is a highly intense program that tests students in ear-training, sightreading, numerous technique skills, 2 etudes, and repertoire—4-5 memorized pieces. The National Music Certificate Program is the new name for the Royal Conservatory of Music that began in Canada in 1886. This program has contributed to the training of numerous international artists such as Glenn Gould, Naida Cole, David Foster, Paul Shaffer, and others. The National Music Certificate Program has become one of the world’s largest institutions for music education—a program committed to developing potential through leadership in music and arts education. Maranatha Piano Prep School is one of the United States’ Founding Members.

The examiners for the National Music Certificate Program are highly trained professional musicians and theorists who have completed an intense Examiner Apprenticeship Program as well as up to three years of initial training before being admitted to the College of Examiners. Professional development and training continues throughout each examiner’s career to ensure consistent international examination standards.

Unlike typical music contests where the average scores are in the 90s, the average score for National Music Certificate participants is in the lower 70s. The higher the students’ level, the more difficult it is to earn a higher score. Six of the nine students performed level 5 or higher, yet, Maranatha Piano Prep School Students earned an Average Score of 84% which is well above the National Average.

To achieve “First Class Honors,” students must present a truly engaging and intelligent performance as well as display technical polish and finesse, definite and apt characterization, and a sense of spontaneity. Students earning FIRST CLASS HONORS include Mason Wehking—Prep B; Jared Wehking—Prep B; Elizabeth Lewis—Level 2; Philip Ledgerwood—Level 5; C.C. Liu—Level 7; Bethany Ledgerwood—Level 7; Lauren Boritzke—Level 7; Melody Steinbart—Level 7. Lauren Boritzke and C.C. Liu tied for the overall highest score at the Watertown Examination Center.
Students exhibiting thorough and careful preparation, demonstrating interpretive skills, and performing repertoire with overall command and accuracy achieve “Honors.” The student earning HONORS was Lauren Schulz—Level 5
Examiner Diana Ing has judged examinations in Canada and the U.S. for numerous years. Ms. Ing’s overall assessment was that Maranatha Piano Prep School Students performing in this examination demonstrated particular strength in performing with musicianship and sensitivity. Students also consistently earned very high ratings in sightreading. Participating in the National Music Certificate Program requires students to be incredibly committed to consistent and concentrated practicing. Congratulations to these students for working so hard and for earning outstanding scores, and congratulations to the faculty and interns for their fabulous teaching.

At Nationals, Daniel Mulder placed first in the Music Theory Test, and Jessica Garrison placed third in piano solo-sacred.

Piano Prep Students Win First Place in Three State Categories and are Headed to Nationals
Maranatha Piano Prep School students participated in the Junior High and High School Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools State Fine Arts and Academic competition hosted at Calvary Baptist Christian School in Watertown, WI. Based on their performance scores, students are awarded blue, red, or white ribbons. Additionally, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given to the top three performers.
Competition Winners:
Performing Grieg’s Norwegian Dance No. 1, Seniors Daniel Mulder and Ryan Thompson placed First in the Classical Piano Duet Category.
In the Classical Solo Category, Ryan Thompson placed First with his performance of Rhapsody in C by Dohnanyi. Daniel Mulder performed Sonata #1, Op. 22 by Kennan and placed Third.
Jessica Garrison, with her performance of Great Is Thy Faithfulness arranged by Bonam, placed First In the Sacred Solo Category.
Giordi Molitor and his friend Michael Dean entered the Sacred Piano Duet Category, and were awarded Second Place for their performance of Wonderful Grace of Jesus arranged by Bonam.
Blue Ribbons:
Hannah Brill, Danae Bumgardaner, and Bryce Thompson competed in the junior high state competition and won blue ribbons for their solid performances. In additional to winning a blue ribbon, Hannah Brill was awarded Second Place in the Sacred Piano Category for her performance of “Brethren We have Met Together” arranged by Bober.
Giordi Molitor, Daniel Mulder, Ryan Thompson, and Jessica Garrison competed in the high school competition and also won blue ribbons for their performances.