The first annual Concord Community Music School competition for young pianists took place March 31 at the music school.

Eighteen participants, ranging from fourth grade to 11th grade, participated in three divisions; there was also a concerto competition. Additionally, in keeping with this year’s piano department emphasis on the works of Russian composers, prizes were awarded for the best performance of a Russian work in each division.

The goal of the competition was to give students an opportunity to prepare varied programs in the interest of stretching their musical development, along with the opportunity to receive comments from distinguished outside adjudicators. Adjudicators for this competition were George Lopez, pianist and teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy, and Dr. Lisa Cleveland, assistant professor of music at Saint Anselm College.

Prize winners are as follows:

Level I: grades 4 to 6
• First place – Miyabi Saito of Concord (student of Gregg Pauley)
• Second place – Madeleine Stewart of Epsom (student of Peggy Senter)
• Third place – Jerry Galatis of Concord (student of Birgit Matzerath)
• Best performance of a Russian work – Miyabi Saito with “Kabalevsky Sonatina”

Level II: grades 7 to 9
• First place – Kelsey Hochgraf of Bow (student of Gregg Pauley)
• Second place – Neil Orzechowski of Newport (student of Gregg Pauley)
• Third place – Josh Bernardo of Concord (student of Catharine Dornin)
• Best performance of a Russian work – Neil Orzechowski with “Rachmaninoff Prelude”

Level III: grades 10 to 12
• First place – Mary Copeley of Concord (student of Kathryn Southworth)
• Second place – Allison Corriveau of Goffstown (student of Catharine Dornin)
• Third place – Ashley Ardinger of Concord (student of Anita Yu)
• Honorable mention – Sophie Orzechowski of Newport (student of Gregg Pauley)
• Best performance of a Russian work – Mary Copeley with “Khatchaturian Toccata”

Hochgraf, 14, also won the concerto competition.

She will perform with the String Chamber Orchestra under the director of CCMS faculty member Rodger Ellsworth. Kelsey recently represented New Hampshire in the eastern division of the Music Teacher Association piano competition, junior division, in Pittsburg, Pa.

For more information, call the music school at 228-1196 or visit www.ccmusicschool.org.