88 keys.
12 hands.
6 students.
4 high schools.
1 teacher.

They are six piano students, and all have reached the highest of heights for high school students in the ShowMe State – they will each compete at the Missouri State Music Contest later this month.

And while they are different ages, different high schools, and will perform different musical selections for the judge at contest, they all have the at least one thing in common.

Coulton, Joe, Leah, Malinda, Brooks, and Lauren. These six young musicians are the senior private piano students of Dexter music educator MaryRuth Boone. And each received a top I rating at District Music Contest recently and all moving up the ladder to compete in statewide competition.

“These young people are fine musicians who take their music very seriously and practice piano in the same manner,” Boone said. “I am proud to be their teacher!”

There’s a camaraderie among them when they gathered recently at Boone’s home. They banter back and forth, and are all good friends in addition to being fine musicians. They may come from different communities and different high schools, but they all share a love of music - and the discipline, talent, and dedication necessary to reach this premiere level. 

Coulton Becker of Williamsville comes from a very musically talented family. He is the son of Pam and Bob Becker of Willimsville. Pam is the director of music at Polar Bluff’s United Methodist Church and she teaches music at Three Rivers College. Coulton is a freshman at Williamsville and has taken piano lessons for ten years. He also received a I rating at District Contest on his vocal solo. At State Contest he will perform Rustles of Springby Christian Striding.

Joe Foster of Essex is a freshman at Richland High School. Joe has taken lessons for eight years and is the son of Donnie and Tish Foster of Essex. At district contest, Joe also received a I rating on his vocal solo. He will perform Melodious Study by Steven Heller for the judge at State Music Contest.

Leah Noyes is a senior at Dexter High School and is the daughter of David and Vicky Noyes of Dexter. Leah has taken piano lessons for nine years. At District Contest, Leah and her Clarinet Sextet received a I Rating. Leah will perform #2 of 4 Impromptus, Op. 90 by Franz Schubert at State Contest.

Malinda Mayo is also a senior at Dexter High School. She taken piano lessons for 13 years and is the daughter of Roger and Malisa Mayo of Dexter. At District Contest Malinda received I ratings on her vocal solo, mixed ensemble and mixed madrigal. She will perform the First Movement of Sonata #283 by Mozart for the judge at State Music Contest.

Brooks Probst is a freshman at Dexter High School and has taken piano lessons for 10 years. Brooks is the son of Molly and Darin Probst of Dexter. At District Contest Brooks also received a I rating on his vocal solo and with his trombone quartet. Brooks will perform the2nd Impromptus, No. 142, by Franz Schubert at State Music Contest.

Lauren White is a junior at Poplar Bluff High School and she, too, comes from a musical family. Her mother and father, Cindy and Buddy White, both teach music at Three Rivers College and Boone is her aunt. Lauren has taken piano lessons for 11 years, and at District Contest she received top I ratings in her vocal solo, mixed double quartet, English horn solo, and her oboe solo. Lauren will perform Movement 1, Prelude from Por Le Piano by Debussy at State Music Contest.

The Missouri State Music Contest will be held April 26-28 on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Photo Above: The senior piano students of MaryRuth Boone all have earned the opportunity to compete in the Missouri State Music Contest this month. Performing will be (seat in front) Malinda Mayo and Leah Noyes, both from Dexter; and (left to right behind the piano) Coulton Becker of Williamsville, Brooks Probst of Dexter, Lauren White of Poplar Bluff, and Joe Foster of Essex. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)