Fingers Fly When Young Murrieta Pianist Takes First in Music Contest

Musically talented high school students and their parents packed the Murrieta Salvation Army Center Wednesday evening for the 12th annual Murrieta Rotary Music Contest.

“The contest encourages and recognizes students with musical talent,” said Al Vollbrecht, Murrieta Rotary contest chair. “Young musicians are given a chance to compete at the district level for an opportunity to win $1,000.”

Fifteen students took part in the competition with categories including: piano, vocal and instrumental. Each contestant competed for a total of $750 in prize money; $400 for first-place, $250 for second-place and $100 for third-place. 

The judges for the contest were all well-renowned professionals in the music industry. Warren Gref, contest judge, has been a longtime horn player with the San Diego Symphony, as well as the founding artistic director/conductor for the California Chamber Orchestra. Hattie Hedrick, an instructor at Mt. San Jacinto College, is a private piano and harp teacher, in addition to serving as a church choral director. Darrell Johnson is a longtime choral music director for both the church and college level.

After an evening of classical piano music, instrumentals and even a few show tunes, the winners were announced. The first place award and a $400 check were presented to junior Derrick Tiu for his piano performance. Second place and a $250 check were awarded to senior Justine Tiu for her piece on the harp. Third place was earned by vocalist senior Matthew Malecki. Stella Chang, oboe player, who was a district finalist last year, was also chosen by the judges to advance to the district competition.

First-place winner, a home-schooled junior, Derrick gave a breathtaking piano performance. From the moment he sat on the piano bench, he wasn’t playing music--it was as if he became the music. It was evident that the music came from a place much deeper than merely his fingers. Playing Chopin’s "Ballade No. 1" in G minor, this musician is just at the start of his career. Even though he says he entered the contest because his mother asked him to, this young pianist plays out of true passion for what he does. Also a violinist, Derrick has been playing the piano for over 10 years.

When asked if his career goals included music Derrick said, “I hope I can be a performer one day; a concert pianist.”

Also the concert master for the Inland Valley Young Symphony, Derrick is on his way to a musical career. He laughed when asked how many hours a day he practiced.

“It should be about four hours a day, but honestly it is more like two hours a day, sometimes four.”

Second-place winner, Justine Tui, Derrick’s older sister, showed that musical talent runs in the family. Derrick accompanied his sister’s performance by playing background piano for her rendition of "Introduction Et Allegro" by Ravel. As Justine’s fingers gracefully and passionately pulled on the strings of the oversized instrument, the audience watched transfixed by the beauty of the music that she was creating.

Third-place winner, Matthew, a vocalist from Vista Murrieta High School, sang “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story and “Johanna” from Sweeney Todd. His powerful vocals wowed all that were watching.

Students who participated in the contest include: Angelique Barlow, vocal; Amanda Bowman, vocal; Stella Chang, oboe; Lyndsay Davies, piano; Serena Gu, piano; Cassidy Hsieh, piano; Matthew Malecki, vocal; Robert Orozco, clarinet; Malia Rickards, piano; Matthew Solie, piano; Kyra Sorensen, vocal; Derrick Tiu, piano; Justine Tiu, harp and Alyson Zavestoski, piano.