From left, Connor Young, Olivia Stone and Graham Griffin performed at Night of Worship at Nicoma Park, First, March 9, after participating in the State Keyboard Festival on March 8 at OBU.
What started with approximately 700 participants across the state culminated at Oklahoma Baptist University on March 8. The State Keyboard Festival featured 31 middle school and high school students who participated in area festivals in January and February.
The young pianists who were recommended from the area festivals played hymns and church pieces in front of a panel of judges. Under two divisions, Junior Division and Senior Division, the students participated in three categories—Hymn Expansion, Hymn Arrangement and Classical Repertoire.
Connor Young, a member of Moore, First, was named Outstanding Performer in the Junior Division. Graham Griffin, a member of Shawnee, Immanuel, was named Outstanding Performer in the Senior Division.
Young and Griffin also performed at Night of Worship, March 9, at Nicoma Park, First, along with Olivia Stone, from Norman, who finish in first place in Classical Repertoire Junior Division.
Griffin plays an arrangement of Holy, Holy, Holy during Night of Worship.
“The State Keyboard Festival is one of the best kept secrets in Oklahoma Baptist life,” said Randy Lind, worship and music specialist of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. “Each student was given encouragement and helpful comments on how to continue to develop their musical skills. Each student did an excellent job. We pray that the Keyboard Festival results in training and equipping men and women to be the future leaders in our music ministries in Oklahoma or wherever God leads them in their life.”
2014 State Keyboard Festival Outstanding Achievement Honors
Junior Division
///Hymn Expansion
1st: James Austin, Cache
2nd: Olivia Stone, Norman
3rd: Natalya Sutter, Moore
///Hymn Arrangement
1st: Connor Young, Norman
2nd: Natalya Sutter, Moore
3rd: Bennett Jandreau, OKC
///Classical Repertoire
1st: Olivia Stone, Norman
2nd: Connor Young, Norman
3rd: Natalya Sutter Moore
///Outstanding Performance:
Connor Young
Senior Division
///Hymn Expansion
1st: Marvin Cruz, OKC
2nd: Jenna Adcock, Red Rock
3rd: Denise Kimball, Hulbert
///Hymn Arrangement
1st: Graham Griffin, Shawnee
2nd: Marvin Cruz, OKC
3rd: Abigail Arthaud, Keyes
///Classical Repertoire
1st: Djimon Jones, Lawton
2nd: Abigail Arthaud, Keyes
3rd: Graham Griffin, Shawnee
///Outstanding Performance:
Graham Griffin
