Eleanor Gray says:
“I competed in the Don Heckenlively Music Competition for 3 years and always found it to be a very beneficial program. As a soloist, I was able to refine my skills and learn many new techniques about playing trombone that always helped me in the long run. I appreciated the feedback that the judges gave me, as it helped me improve when I played my solos llater at Solo and Ensemble. Many of the things I learned from the judges at the Don Heckenlively Competiton are things I still use today as a college student in Marching Band! It was a great experience that I would recommend to any students interested in performing, whether that be vocally or instrumentally.”
“I competed in the Don Heckenlively Music Competition for 3 years and always found it to be a very beneficial program. As a soloist, I was able to refine my skills and learn many new techniques about playing trombone that always helped me in the long run. I appreciated the feedback that the judges gave me, as it helped me improve when I played my solos llater at Solo and Ensemble. Many of the things I learned from the judges at the Don Heckenlively Competiton are things I still use today as a college student in Marching Band! It was a great experience that I would recommend to any students interested in performing, whether that be vocally or instrumentally.”
Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition
About the Don Heckenlively Music Competition
In 2019, members of the ArtWorks board voted to re-name the Winter Music Competition to the Don Heckenlively Music Competition in honor of the late Don Heckenlively, who was a founding member of the board served as president of the board, and was a long-time supporter of the annual music competition.
The Nineteenth Annual Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition
was held of February 1, 2026 and was open to singers and instrumental musicians from Hillsdale County from Grades Six through Twelve and for critiques for musicians under 11 years of age.
Contest categories: Vocal, Strings, other instrumental, keyboard, ensembles
Awards per Category
Grades 9 - 12 (Ages 15-18) and Grades 6 - 8 (ages 11-14)
Senior First Place Winners: $100 Junior First Place Winners: $50
Senior Second Place Winners: $50 Junior Second Place Winners: $25
Senior Third Place Winners: $25. Junior Third Place Winners: $15
Judges award first, second, and third place awards to contestants in each category based on their performances. All contestants receive Participation Certificates and written comments from judges to help hone skills for future performances.
Many Thanks to our sponsors:
Woman's Life Insurance Company Hillsdale County School of the Arts
was held of February 1, 2026 and was open to singers and instrumental musicians from Hillsdale County from Grades Six through Twelve and for critiques for musicians under 11 years of age.
Contest categories: Vocal, Strings, other instrumental, keyboard, ensembles
Awards per Category
Grades 9 - 12 (Ages 15-18) and Grades 6 - 8 (ages 11-14)
Senior First Place Winners: $100 Junior First Place Winners: $50
Senior Second Place Winners: $50 Junior Second Place Winners: $25
Senior Third Place Winners: $25. Junior Third Place Winners: $15
Judges award first, second, and third place awards to contestants in each category based on their performances. All contestants receive Participation Certificates and written comments from judges to help hone skills for future performances.
Many Thanks to our sponsors:
Woman's Life Insurance Company Hillsdale County School of the Arts
We are proud to announce the winners of the 19th Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition!
SENIOR DIVISION:
Voice Ensemble: Timothy Gaebler, Zane Socha, Luke Mollenkamp and Tim Whalen 2nd place
Strings: Sadie Falke 3rd place
Woodwind/Brass: Nathan Rodgers 2nd place
Piano: Cate Gaetano 1st place
Nathan Rodgers 2nd place
Voice: Evelyn Meyer 1st place
Atticus Maas 2nd place
JUNIOR DIVISION:
Strings: Joanna Gaebler 2nd place
Verity Maas 3rd place
Woodwind/Brass: Aly Rodgers 2nd place
Piano: Alex Bertram 1st place
Verity Maas 2nd place
Rudy Willman 3rd place
SENIOR DIVISION:
Voice Ensemble: Timothy Gaebler, Zane Socha, Luke Mollenkamp and Tim Whalen 2nd place
Strings: Sadie Falke 3rd place
Woodwind/Brass: Nathan Rodgers 2nd place
Piano: Cate Gaetano 1st place
Nathan Rodgers 2nd place
Voice: Evelyn Meyer 1st place
Atticus Maas 2nd place
JUNIOR DIVISION:
Strings: Joanna Gaebler 2nd place
Verity Maas 3rd place
Woodwind/Brass: Aly Rodgers 2nd place
Piano: Alex Bertram 1st place
Verity Maas 2nd place
Rudy Willman 3rd place
