In the movie business, it’s the Academy Awards. In the recording industry, it’s the Grammy Awards, and for Broadway shows, it’s the Tony Awards. Yes, this is award season, and it seems like there are awards for all kinds of businesses and industries.
Yesterday when I opened up my Facebook page, I gasped when I saw this video which you can view by clicking the link:
(Go on, click the link now!)
For the past two years, the Diapason magazine has recognized 20 individuals who are setting the pace for the future of the pipe organ, harpsichord, carillon, and church music. According to their website, the editors “want to shine the spotlight on those young people who will help determine where our field is headed, why it is headed that way, and how we will get there. We are looking for 20 men and women under 30 years of age who are already exhibiting superior accomplishments, leadership, creativity, and innovative thinking.”
My heart was pounding when I heard the list of this year’s “20 under 30”: Stephen Buzard, Alcee Chriss, Kipp Cortez, Monica Czausz, Trevor Dodd, Joey Fala, Thomas Gaynor, Wesley Hall, Michael Hey, Amanda Mole, Adam Pagan, Nathan Riggle, Jonathan Rudy, Caroline Robinson, Thomas Sheehan, Wyatt Smith, Jacob Street, David Von Behren, and Gregory Zelek.
(The ones I’ve listed in bold print are the ones who have played (or will play in the case of Greg Zelek) in Hawaii — We sure know how to pick them!
And of course we are all super proud of our hometown hero, my former student Joey Fala. What a huge honor!
Congratulations to the Teacher!