Piano students showcase their talents at library

PLAINS – Music flooded the lawn of the Plains Public Library on Tuesday, July 16 as Syd Connolly and her students played for a crowd of spectators perched on blankets and chairs in the green grass of the library.

Connolly has been teaching piano for about six years and typically has 10 to 12 different students at one time.

Six of those students were able to play for the audience that gathered, varying in skill levels and ages.

Connolly said the teaching experience has been trial and error for her. With no training in being a piano instructor, Connolly started off by using the books she used when she was first learning how to play piano.

“It’s basically been figuring out what to do and what not to do,” said Connolly. Through this process, Connolly has taught a score of kids to master the talents involved in playing the piano, as many continue to grow and learn on a daily basis.

“Most of them are really good about practicing. That makes all the difference,” said Connolly, expressing that all her students have been a pleasure to teach. Connolly especially enjoys watching the students grow and get better with each practice.

The students have one recital a year, which gives the students a goal to work towards and accomplish.

“It’s something to work towards and get ready for. Performing is a good thing and its not so scary playing in front of people they love,” said Connolly.

Through some trials and tribulations of playing on a keyboard for the first time, the students worked through the differences and wowed the crowd.

First up to play was eight-year-old Izzy Butcher. Izzy played a variety of different songs including Humpty Dumpty, Bow Wow Wow and The Little Engine – a song that is helping her learn eighth notes.

Up next was Dakota Butcher, age 11. Dakota played Quiet River, On to Joy by Beethoven and Call of the Horn, a song that mimics the sound of a French horn or bagpipe, among other songs.

Rebecca Madden, 11, has been playing less than a year and showcased her skills by playing Comin’ Round the Mountain and Home on the Range.

As Chloe French, 10, took over the keyboard, she played numerous tunes before playing a duet with her sister Lydia. Lydia, 12, continued the evening of music by playing Morning and Evening, a song that goes through an entire day, the loudness of the music changing throughout the song and mimicking the lulls of a day.

Abram French, 17, finished the concert off strong. Abram has been playing for two and a half years and the grand finale consisted of My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

Connolly was very proud of all of her student’s performances and said their recital will fall between winter and spring sports and typically is held at the Church of God in Plains.

The Tuesday night entertainment is part of a program put on by the Plains Public Library to help the community come together and have something fun to look forward to during the week. The last performance of the year will be held on Tuesday, August 6.