The music students of Janice Johnston performed to an appreciative crowd of 52 relatives and friends on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The Rippey Community Room and Library building was decorated for the season and Midge Vannatta was playing Christmas music before the program started to get us all in the Christmas spirit.
Eight students performed on the piano, violin, saxophone, some with Janice accompanying or playing a duet with them. The performers included Joshuah Sparks, Summer South, Tessa Fisher-Kern, Taylor Lawrence, Keegan Lawrence, Daniel Cervany, JoAllyn Roe, and Ethan Hooper. The evening concluded with a sing-a-long with Midge again, accompanying the group.
Janice thanked those who assisted, including Maralynn Rinker who decorated the tree and Connie Neese, who assisted in the kitchen with Ned Johnston.
She also shared the history of the piano that was given to the building by the families of Carson Griffith on December 5, 2015. Betty Griffith and her husband Jack Lint, as well as Chad and Kelley (Griffith) Bruns were in attendance, also. If there was a prize for attending from the farthest, Chad and Kelley would have won, as they live in Montana and were visiting Iowa for a few days!! This evening was a treat for them, as well.
It always is an enjoyable experience watching and listening to the kids do their best, as they perform in front of an audience. Janice deserves credit for making them feel comfortable and stayed by their side, supporting them as they performed. A lot of us listening were remembering our own recitals or solo contests. Most of us never did overcome that feeling of terror, preferring to play or sing with a group. It is much easier on the nerves!