Musicale to feature plenty of local talent

By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

The Grays Harbor Music Teachers Association will host its annual scholarship benefit concert this weekend.

Musicale will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at Aberdeen First Presbyterian Church, 420 N. Broadway St. A gourmet dessert reception will follow.

“Each year, we invite local musicians to donate their time and talents in performing at this concert in order to raise funds for music scholarships for college students,” said event chairwoman Christine Hill. “Grays Harbor is blessed with a wealth of talented musicians, and this year’s program is sure to delight.”

2019 scholarship recipient Amanda Ransom, an 18-year-old vocalist and pianist, will perform a wide variety of music, from classical to modern — including a piece she wrote called “Temporary Feelings.” The recent graduate of Wishkah Valley High School is now studying music at Grays Harbor College.

Pianist Micah Hollen, a multiple scholarship recipient, also will take the stage. He’ll be playing compositions by Frederic Chopin, Johannes Brahms and Ottorino Respighi. Hollen is currently majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in music at Western Washington University.

In addition, the event will feature performances by Grays Harbor Brass (led by William Dyer) and the Grays Harbor College Opera Workshop (led by Ian and Joy Dorsch), as well as an ensemble of five local musicians: Debra Akerlund on violin, Leslie O’Brien on viola, John O’Brien on cello, Robert Neisinger on snare drum and Merry Jo Zimmer on piano.

There is no admission cost; free-will donations will be collected during intermission.

More than $5,000 was raised through last year’s Musicale, allowing GHMTA to award four scholarships: Ransom, Ben Fagerstedt (Pacific Lutheran University), Kendall Cavin (Whitworth University) and Kendra Gross (Seattle Pacific University).

Anyone who would like to contribute to the music scholarship fund, but cannot attend Musicale, may write a check to GHMTA and mail it to Zimmer, the association’s treasurer, at 2017 W. Sixth St., Aberdeen, WA 98520.

“We mailed out donor letters in December, and as of Jan. 2 we have already collected $2,110 via mailings,” said Hill.

Further details are available through GHMTA’s Facebook page.

Courtesy photo The five-piece ensemble set to perform includes, from left, John O’Brien on cello, Debra Akerlund on violin, Merry Jo Zimmer on piano and Leslie O’Brien on viola. Not pictured is Robert Neisinger, who plays the snare drum.