Chopin, Bach now Reeves

What do you get when you mix one composer, two pianos and four pianists, one very uncommon piece of music?

Chris Reeves, a Kilgore College music graduate and current music major at Steven F. Austin, wrote just this piece which will be performed at KC in a special concert by four fifth-grade piano students.

Reeves said this was a difficult piece to write, but the direction he received from Sandy Siler, piano instructor at Kilgore College really helped the process. "I knew I had to write the piece of music specifically for intermediate students," said Reeves. "I had to concentrate on construction, form and themes, knowing all the time I had four pianists on two pianos performing individual pieces."

Reeves said composing music is something he has been doing for years. "I have written over 20 other pieces; this one took approximately four months," said Reeves.

Reeves said the average concerto is about six to seven minutes with this piece going a little over at approximately eight minutes.

Siler said this piece will be accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra and conducted by guest conductor Jerry Hale from Henderson.

He is just not a composer but an accomplished pianist and looks forward to his career in music. "My dream is to become an in-house composer with a large symphony," said Reeves. "I hope to go on to study at the Conservatory, Louisiana State University or Texas Christian University."

Reeves said to become an in house composer is a tough road but it is doing work like this piece for Kilgore College that he feels will get him there.

The four students who will perform Concertor #2 are Mahlon Acres, William Mann, Landon Marshall and Nick Siler.

All the students have six years of music training except for Mann, who has only four years of piano. "This is a difficult piece and the four boys only received the concerto in December," said Siler. "These four students are used to performing in front of audiences and have each won several awards for there performances."

Nick Siler said he would be performing the primo part on piano two. "To learn this piece has been very demanding," said Siler. Siler is the son of Sandy and Steve Siler.

Mann said he will perform the secondo part on piano one. "I have done duets before which helps, but with two people on the same piano it takes lots of effort," said Mann. "I really like the piece and appreciate Reeves for writing the piece just for us." Mann is the son of Mark and Debbie Mann.

Acres will be perform the primo part on piano one. "The chord work is very difficult on this piece and I have spent a lot of time practicing it," said Acres. Acres is the son of Steven and Arlene Acres.

Sandy Siler said it is because of the parental support each of these boys gets for their music that they have developed in to the excellent pianists they are today. "Each of these boys has to practice this piece at least 30 to 45 minutes a day and the four of them get together each Monday to practice the piece together," said Sandy Siler. "These four might not like to practice as often as they do, but they love to perform for the public."

Nick Siler said he loves to play different types of music, especially fast paced music such as jazz.

Acres said he likes to play themes from movie soundtracks.

Sandy Siler said these four boys have received a well rounded music background as should all music students. "My students at Kilgore College get to play all types of music, " said Siler. "I try not to use the same piece of music twice for my classes."

Sandy said next year these four boys will be taking a hymn study course. "It is alarming the number of churches in this area that do not have someone who can play the piano," said Sandy. "These boys will have the opportunity to play for their church."

Mann said learning to play the piano has given him the opportunity to play for his family members, which he really enjoys.

Nick Siler said he feels all kids should take up some type of music.

"It is better then sitting around all the time doing nothing but video games. Music can be a really good hobby," he said.

Acres said the hardest part is to learn to read music. "It can be different using one piano over another, but reading music is universal," said Acres.

Arlene Acres said she wanted Mahlon to learn to play the piano because this is something he can take with him for the rest of his life. "It teaches good discipline, a good work ethic and it gives him less time to get in trouble, said Arlene.

Debbie Mann said "it is just wonderful to see your child master something."

The concert will also feature four other performances featuring Jessica Morris, Aran Kim Hyera Kim, Christine Kim and Melissa White.

Morris will perform Chopin's number one in E minor. "This is a

very difficult piece and a very long piece," said Morris. "This piece goes on for approximately 20 minutes and I will be accompanied by the full orchestra.

"Chopin's piece was written in the 1800s and is a romantic piece," said Morris. "The difficulty is not so much the music but the shear physical performance."

Morris has been studying music for 13 years and after KC hopes to attend TCU majoring in music performance and music education.

Marshall, who was not available at the time of this interview, is the son of Dr. Russell and Tammye Marshall.

The concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, in the Van Cliburn Audiotirum in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center at KC. The performance is free to the public. The college's music degree graduates will also be honored at this program.