Piatgorsky Foundation puts on performance for BISD band students

The Breckenridge High School and Junior High School band students had an opportunity to see and hear a live performance from concert pianist Mary Au and clarinetist Katsuya Yuasa, courtesy of the Piatgorsky Foundation. This endeavor was hosted by members of the Friends of Historic Breckenridge at the National Theatre on Monday, Jan. 14.

The Piatgorsky Foundation sponsors world renowned concert musicians who are willing to tour the United States in 250 concerts per year and go to small, rural communities and perform for musically inclined students. In this case, the BHS and the BJHS band students viewed the two seasoned concert musicians perform. The Friends of Historic Breckenridge applied for admittance to the Piatgorsky Foundation program that specifically sent concert-seasoned musicians of the highest quality to tour the rural areas of the United States and perform. Judy Credicott, retired Breckenridge librarian, was the person who worked on this particular application, which was accepted by the Piatgorsky Foundation.

Following their performance, the musicians answered questions from the students. For instance, the clarinetist explained how he played his instrument, which entailed how he got in additional air, while playing a song. That type of information was helpful to clarinet musicians in both bands.

The students also were able to get autographs from the two musicians; Au in English and Chinese, and Yuasa in English and Japanese. The students observed they could readily see the distinct differences in the two written languages when seen side by side.

Prior to this, the students thought the two languages didn’t have much difference but this was changed when they saw the two sign their autographs.

The Stephens County Fine Arts Music Board also helped the FOHB pay the fee for this program. When asked, the students who attended valued the performance and were much appreciative of the effort made on their behalf to bring such a quality performance to Breckenridge.

Members of the FOHB remarked about how well-behaved and attentive the students were, and praised the questions they asked at the end of both performances.