Martin receives I rating at State Piano Festival
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Fort Scott High School junior Emily Martin received a I rating at the 2014 State Piano Festival hosted by Wichita State University on Feb. 22. The I rating is the highest rating awarded by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA). Martin was the only high school student in the area to received a I rating at the Festival.
Martin received the I rating after her performance of "Sonatina Opus 13 No.1," a piece composed by Dmitri Kabalevsky.
"It means a lot to me because it lets me know I've worked hard," Martin said. "Piano is something that I care about and it's just fun to be passionate with the songs when I'm playing. And it's just really cool to see how notes on the pages come out for a song."
Martin qualified for the State Piano Festival by achieving a I rating at the Piano Regional Feb. 8 at Baker University. Baker University was one of five sites to host a regional competition.
Fort Scott High School and Middle School Band Director James Fox said he credits Martin's recent success at the regional and state level to her strong work ethic.
"Emily works extremely hard for success in music and she is a very dedicated musician," Fox said. "She's practiced many hours and has grown a lot in musicianship the last year, especially. She's a great kid and one that can be counted upon."
Martin is also a vocalist and trumpet player. However, Martin says she is the most passionate about playing piano.
"She's a very strong singer, a very strong trumpet player and very strong pianist as well, Fox said. "She continually makes the Fort Scott High School music program proud."
Martin said she will continue playing piano after high school, as she plans on attending Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo., where she hopes to join the band Frontline. Frontline is a musical group affiliated with the school.
"That's what I've wanted to do for a while now," Martin said. "(Joining Frontline) is how I want to continue to pursue playing the piano, and how I want to stay involved with it."