Preston held the 84th annual Bennett Cup music competition on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 at the Preston High School Auditorium.
The competition began in 1940 when Floyd and Barbara Bennett began sponsoring it to benefit aspiring young musicians in the community. Since 1994 when the Bennetts retired, the event has been sponsored by the Bennett Cup Committee.
On Wednesday the instrumental and piano portion of the competition was held. There were 20 participants, 13 of which played piano. Judges for the event were Dr. Kori Bond, Hal Briggs and Sara Hamatake.
First place in piano was awarded to senior Audrey Moore, daughter of Doug and Heather Moore. She played “Clair de Lune” by Debussy. Sophomore Taylee Ferguson, daughter of John and Melanie Ferguson, took second place playing “Dragonfly” by Melody Bober. Third place was captured by sophomore Candon Abrams, son of Mathew and Lesli Abrams, who played “Rhapsodie Mignonne” by Carl Kolling.
In the instrumental section freshman Conner Sam Fong, son of Lawrence and Natalie Sam Fong, took first place with a snare drum solo “Drum Coor On The March” by Jay Wanamaker. Second place went to senior Violet Conrad, daughter of Grant and Audra Conrad. She played a clarinet solo “Sonata for Clarinet, Op 167” by Camille Saint-Saens and was accompanied by Camden Welker. Senior Brielle Jensen, daughter of Jeremy and Heidi Jensen won third place with “Sicilienne”, a flute solo by Gabriel Faure.
Thursday evening the vocal and string competition commenced with 30 contestants, eight female vocalists, three male vocalists, and 19 string players. Judges were Mark Emile, Ella Jessop, Pam Gee and Jenna Mclean.
Freshman Taylee Porter, daughter of Mike and Misty Porter, won first place in the female vocalist category singing “How Does a Moment Last Forever” by Tim Rice and accompanied by Debbie Porter took first place. Taylee Ferguson, daughter of John and Melanie Ferguson, was the second place winner. The sophomore sang “I Couldn’t Know Someone Less (Daddy Long Legs)” by Paul Gordon and was accompanied by Tate Porter. In third place was junior Megan Jensen, daughter of Jeremy and Tammy Jensen, singing “I Dreamed A Dream” by Claude-Michael Schonberg and accompanied by Rachael Allred.
Freshman Conner Sam Fong, son of Lawrence and Natalie Sam Fong, added an additional first place award. This time a a male vocalist. He sang “Lost In The Woods” by Robert Lopezand Kristen Anderson-Lopez and arranged by Danny Schuurmans. His accompanist was Rachel Allred. Junior Dimitry Dyer, son of Matt and Rose Dyer, took second with “On The Street Where You Live” by Frederick Loewe’ and accompanied by Katheryn Gerber. Sophomore Sean Crosgrove, son of Steve and Julie Crosgrove, took third with “Pie Jesu” by Marcy Pyrtle and arranged by Jay Althouse. Julie Crosgrove was his accompanist.
In the string competition the cellists swept the awards. Jonathon Cole, son of Darren and Lisa Cole won first place with a memorized cello solo. He played “Rondo (from Concerto No. 4, Op. 65)” by George Goltermann. Freshman Amelia Conrad, daughter of Grant and Audra Conrad, placed second with the cello piece “Concerto No. 5” by F. Seitz and accompanied by her sister Violet Conrad. Third place was awarded to sophomore cello player Clark Jensen, son of Jon and Lana Jenkins. His piece was “La Cinquantaine” by G. Marie and his accompanist was Candon Abrams.
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