April 26, 2024

Piano Fest held Oct. 15

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Rachel McCoy’s student participants, pictured from left, are Teryn Shields, Dacy Forry, Rachel McCoy, Eamon Kerr, Macayla Hicks and Moyra Hicks. Not pictured is Justin Hollinger. (Contributed photos)

On Saturday, Oct. 15, Murray Community School District hosted the Southern Iowa Music Teacher’s annual Piano Fest.

Sixteen first- through eighth-grade piano students from Osceola, Murray and Indianola learned about jazz and blues music. Professor Jack Ergo of Graceland University taught a workshop on jazz improvisation and the 12-bar blues. Simon McCoy, instrumental music teacher at Murray, demonstrated various musical instruments and jazz rhythms. The students also had the opportunity to perform for guest clinician Deborah Ausborn of Lytton.