“Guitar Recital Review”

by Dennis E. Champlin

Tom Ritchel, a Martinsville guitar teacher, held his sixth “Student Guitar Recital” on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church.  Mr. Ritchel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree from Butler University.  Besides performing professionally, he has been teaching privately for a number of years.

In all, thirteen students performed; their ages ranged from early elementary to mature adult, with talent levels ranging from entry-beginner to college-prep.  The audience of family, friends, and guitar enthusiasts was estimated at 50-60.

Performers included: Carol Benedyk, Jordan Davis, Walker Fisher, Ethan Jasper, Sharon Kusnerz, Mitchell Marasch, Olivia Peters, Sam Peters, Chris Poindexter, Elizabeth Sheets, Patrick Sheets, Alex Sutton, and Drew Walker.

Everyone enjoyed the hour-long program, as there was something for everyone, with tunes ranging from country, western, pop, rock, gospel, sacred, blues, jazz, and classical.  There has been notable progress since the last recital.

For information regarding guitar lessons, readers are encouraged to contact Mr. Ritchel: Contact Us

Lauri Wood's Student Piano Recital

May 7, 2010

“Piano Recital Review”

By Dennis E. Champlin

Spring was certainly “in the air” tonight at the “Piano Recital” presented by the students of Mrs. Lauri Wood!  A crowd in excess of 100 family and friends gathered in the auditorium at the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle on Friday, May 7^th, 2010, to enjoy the “Sounds of Spring” offered by these talented boys and girls!

With ages ranging from kindergarten to high school, the musical selections were age-appropriate, with the recital starting with the youngest performers.  They played a mixture of familiar secular and sacred tunes, such as “BINGO” and “The B-I-B-L-E”.  When the program proceeded to the older students, the arrangements were progressively harder, with titles ranging from the “William Tell Overture” to “O Worship the King”.

Performers included: Tyler Bastin, Sarah Ranger, Andrew Frederick, Anne Parker, Claire Featherston, RoseMary Bastin, Joshua Pool, Katelyn Knuth, Ben Ranger, Damaris Moore, Michele Poindexter, Ethan Rupert, Madison Roll, Kelsie Risk, Charissa Alexander, Ben Frederick, Kholton Stack, Sam Ranger, Shelby Cheatham, Eli Mock, Zachary Rupert, David Alexander, Lyndsey Hudson, Thomas Ranger, Jessica Bastin, Braden Baughman, Jenna Faulstich, Kassie Knuth, Kevin Stack, Carly Wood, Alicia Moore, Grace Stanger, Jessica Faulstich, (with some students assisted at times by Mrs. Wood herself).

Lauri Wood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Bob Jones University, with proficiencies in piano and voice; she has had her works both recorded and published; and, she is celebrating her 25^th year as a private teacher.  For information regarding piano lessons (and additionally flute and voice lessons), readers are encouraged to contact Mrs. Wood. Contact Us