Music in Van Wert By Paul G. Hoverman Coordinator of Performing Arts/Van Wert County Foundation

NPAC to host state conference, pianist

    It will be a busy weekend at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio as we host nearly a hundred independent music teachers from all over the state of Ohio.  Ohio Music Teachers Association (OMTA) is the state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).  Each year, OMTA holds a state conference, rotating among its various districts.  This year, the Middle West District of OMTA is hosting and they have chosen the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and Van Wert as its location.  Independent music teachers and college and university teachers will be gathering in Van Wert this Thursday through Saturday to learn more about their profession.

    Clinicians, lecturers, speakers, master teachers and performers will be infiltrating the NPAC as well as our hotels and restaurants this weekend.  One of the highlights in their conference will be the performance on Friday night of concert pianist, Alpin Hong.  Alpin performed in Van Wert back in 2006 at the Marsh Auditorium.  This was just months before the opening of the NPAC.  His performance electrified the audience and captured the imagination of many school-aged children.

    It is because of his passionate personality and exceptional keyboard skills that we chose him to be a part of this weekend of activities.  Alpin will perform this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the NPAC.  This concert is open to the public and tickets are currently available at the box office and Friday night beginning one hour before the concert.

    While here for the weekend, Alpin will also be active at the conference, giving a master class to several young pianists for the many teachers to observe.  He will also be speaking before the Thursday night OMTA banquet at the Willow Bend Country Club.  Motivating young students to love music and the keyboard is a real passion for him.  He has a very intriguing story to tell of how learning piano as an adopted child was his saving grace. His adoptive parents would travel from Kalamazoo, Mich., to Chicago for piano lessons twice a week. What a sacrifice!

    If you find yourself in the mood for some beautiful, exciting, and virtuosic piano playing as well as some inspirational stories and entertaining dialogue, then I will see you this Friday night at the NPAC. Tickets begin at just $10, so hopefully many can attend.

    Upcoming Niswonger concerts and shows feature Dionne Warwick on November 10.  This show is approaching a sell-out, so you may want to get your tickets immediately if you’ve been waiting.  American Voices with Larry Gatlin, the Gatlin Brothers, and Irish/American singer Andy Cooney is on Saturday, November 21.  The Spirit of Christmas show on Friday, November 27 is nearly sold-out as is Annie on December 10.  River City Brass Band with local high school choirs will be a wonderful Holiday treat I don’t want you to overlook!  The more I talk with the conductor of the show, the more excited I get.  It is December 18, just one week before Christmas and is a guaranteed winner for getting you into the Christmas spirit.

    FINÉ.