Lauts' Family Music Center of Merritt Island, FL is gearing up to host its fourth annual Clavinova Festival this November. Lauts' last Festival, showcasing the Clavinova CVP line, was attended by more than 100 students ranging in age from six to adults in their late-30's and proved hugely successful. "The students are thrilled to showcase their creativity," said Barbara Lauts. Many students play ten-page concertos, complete with disks containing music they sequenced themselves.
Students compete in various categories and after the finale, all participants are eligible to enter a drawing for a chance to win a Clavinova of their very own.
Participating in the last three Festivals, 12-year old Jessica Wittekind was awarded first place in her age division at the 1996 Festival and was a first place winner in 1994. Jessica has been playing the Clavinova since age seven. A student of Janet Dugin of Merritt Island, FL, Jessica loves to sequence her own arrangements and write her own drum patterns with the Clavinova.
Her 1996 winning selection was "Concerto in C" by Haydn. The arrangement began with an orchestral sequence, and half way through the selection she added a drum part to make the arrangement exciting.
The Festivals are also fun for the parents, as many have only heard their children rehearse on a traditional acoustic piano. Listening to them perform at the Festival is the first time they are able to experience the piano part combined with other instrument voices. "Parents are amazed when they hear their child's full performance on the Clavinova CVP-they can't believe it!" remarked Barbara.
Jessica Wittekind, who has been playing the Clavinova since she
was seven, won first place in her age division at last year's Clavinova Festival at Lauts'
Family Music Center.
Lauts' is also starting something new this year. They are providing an incentive to get teachers involved in the Festival. Any teacher who signs up ten students will receive a free Clavinova for approximately two months to use in their home to help their students practice. After the Festival, the teacher has the opportunity to purchase the unit at a reduced price.
Dealers interested in hosting their own Yamaha Clavinova Festival may contact Clavinova Festival Coordinator Lori Frazer at 1 (888) 9-YAMAHA.
