Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition
2025 Competition
Sunday, January 19, 2025
at Hillsdale First United Methodist Church
Sunday, January 19, 2025
at Hillsdale First United Methodist Church
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.
2025 Competition Results!
Here are the results from the 18th Annual Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition that was held today. A BIG Thank you again to our two great sponsors: County National Bank, Hillsdale County School of the Arts - HCSA, and to our venue sponsor First United Methodist Church. Such talented young musicians we have in Hillsdale County!
Congratulations to all the winning participants today.
JUNIOR Category
Keyboard
1st Place - Peter Gaetano
2nd Place - Alex Bertram
3rd Place - Margaret Campbell
Ensemble
3rd Place - Kambria Hindes & Madeline Ross
String
1st Place - Joanna Gaebler
2nd Place - Sadie Falke
3rd Place - Verity Maas
Instrument
3rd Place - Aly Rodgers
SENIOR Category
Keyboard
1st Place - Nora Shull
2nd Place - Artur Siimes
3rd Place - Cate Gaetano
Ensemble
1st Place - Mary & William Schlueter
2nd Place - Timothy Gaebler & James Rahe
String
1st Place - Timothy Gaebler
Voice
1st Place - Evelyn Meyer
2nd Place - Brandy Neill
Instrument
1st Place - Nathan Rodgers
2nd Place - Ellie Gray
3rd Place - Brandy Neill
Here are the results from the 18th Annual Don Heckenlively Music Performance Competition that was held today. A BIG Thank you again to our two great sponsors: County National Bank, Hillsdale County School of the Arts - HCSA, and to our venue sponsor First United Methodist Church. Such talented young musicians we have in Hillsdale County!
Congratulations to all the winning participants today.
JUNIOR Category
Keyboard
1st Place - Peter Gaetano
2nd Place - Alex Bertram
3rd Place - Margaret Campbell
Ensemble
3rd Place - Kambria Hindes & Madeline Ross
String
1st Place - Joanna Gaebler
2nd Place - Sadie Falke
3rd Place - Verity Maas
Instrument
3rd Place - Aly Rodgers
SENIOR Category
Keyboard
1st Place - Nora Shull
2nd Place - Artur Siimes
3rd Place - Cate Gaetano
Ensemble
1st Place - Mary & William Schlueter
2nd Place - Timothy Gaebler & James Rahe
String
1st Place - Timothy Gaebler
Voice
1st Place - Evelyn Meyer
2nd Place - Brandy Neill
Instrument
1st Place - Nathan Rodgers
2nd Place - Ellie Gray
3rd Place - Brandy Neill
Competition Details
The purpose of the competition is to give the young performers in our county an opportunity to practice performance skills. Hillsdale County resident singers and instrumentalists ages 11-18 are eligible to enter. Each performer is evaluated by a panel of distinguished musicians.
Contest Categories: Vocal, Strings, Keyboard, Other Instrumental, Ensemble
AWARDS
Grades 9 - 12 (Ages 15-18):
Senior First Place Winner: $100
Senior Second Place Winner: $50
Senior Third Place Winner: $25
Grades 6 - 8 (Ages 11-14):
Junior First Place Winner: $50
Junior Second Place Winner: $25
Junior Third Place Winner: $15
Students under 11 years old may perform for the judges to obtain a critique of their performances. Performers in this group would not be eligible for cash prizes and will pay a reduced fee of $5.00 for the critique.
REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the competition is to give the young performers in our county an opportunity to practice performance skills. Hillsdale County resident singers and instrumentalists ages 11-18 are eligible to enter. Each performer is evaluated by a panel of distinguished musicians.
Contest Categories: Vocal, Strings, Keyboard, Other Instrumental, Ensemble
AWARDS
Grades 9 - 12 (Ages 15-18):
Senior First Place Winner: $100
Senior Second Place Winner: $50
Senior Third Place Winner: $25
Grades 6 - 8 (Ages 11-14):
Junior First Place Winner: $50
Junior Second Place Winner: $25
Junior Third Place Winner: $15
Students under 11 years old may perform for the judges to obtain a critique of their performances. Performers in this group would not be eligible for cash prizes and will pay a reduced fee of $5.00 for the critique.
REQUIREMENTS
- CRITIQUES ONLY: Youngsters under 11 years old may perform for the judges to obtain a critique of their performances. Performers in this group would not be eligible for cash prizes and will pay a reduced fee of $10.00 for the critique.
- Music must be unamplified (no microphones or electronic equipment, including karaoke CDs).
- It is expected that contestants will not perform pieces they’ve used in the past for this competition.
- Appropriate vocal material: Art songs, sacred music of all eras, and Broadway show tunes. Rap and acapella solo vocal performances are not permitted. Singers must perform from memory.
- Appropriate instrumental material: Etudes, jazz standards, and solo instrumental material. Instrumentalists may perform with or without accompaniment. Instrumentalists may use printed music. A music stand will be provided. Ensembles may include up to eight individuals. ArtWorks reserves the final right of approval for all repertoire and category selections.
- If a student is entering more than one category, a separate application form and entry fee will be required for each category. Limit of one entry per student per category. One application fee per group for ensembles.
- There is a $20.00 entry fee, or $10.00 for those seeking only a critique (under 11 years old). If an accompanist is required there will be an additional $20.00 fee. For families - $20.00 for the first family member, $10.00 for each additional member. Checks should be made out to ArtWorks of Hillsdale, Inc. One check is sufficient for multiple entries if entering more than one category.
- Space is limited to 15 entries for each category. Apply early to reserve your spot.
Click below for the application, flyer, and photo release form!
(Note, please download all three and complete and turn in the photo release form with the application.)
(Note, please download all three and complete and turn in the photo release form with the application.)
| artworks_photography_release_form_2025.pdf |
