It's a Beautiful Thing

Twelve year old Austin Garner and sixteen year Tyler Garner are different in lots of ways, but they share a love for music.  

The boys live in Lehi, and both have studied piano as long as they can remember.  Austin started before he was three and Tyler started when he was five.

Playing piano is usually a solitary activity, but the Suzuki Association of Utah is turning that idea upside down. 

Both Austin and Tyler are part of a five piano group that was created for a June performance at Libby Gardner Hall.  Seventeen other piano ensembles participated in this Five Piano Concert.   Their piece, Chopin’s Waltz in A minor, was a hit and the group was chosen to perform again in the fall.  

They will perform in a five piano concert on September 18 in the Conference Center Theater, and then again on September 19 in a most unusual concert.

On September 19, hundreds of kids from across the state will join together to perform with one heart and one voice in the LDS Conference Center.  The performers will range in age from three to eighteen and will play on a variety of instruments including, harp, cello, violin, viola, string bass, flute, voice, and piano. 

This is an unforgettable night for everyone who participates and everyone who attends.  It is a magical night, a night of Celebration.   Hosted by the Suzuki Association of Utah this event happens once every five years.  The theme for Celebration IX is Where Love is Deep.  The theme was taken from a quote by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki the founder and creator of the Suzuki Method:  “Where Love is Deep, Much can be Accomplished.

The Suzuki Association of Utah is an organization made up of parents, teachers, and students who embrace the philosophies of Dr. Suzuki.  Dr. Suzuki believed that every child could learn, that a study of music creates noble character, and that music could change the world.

There will also be a Harp Celebration on September 12, in the Tabernacle.  Tickets will be available to the public from the Conference Center beginning August 11.  Group rates are available.  Ticket price includes admission to all three events.

The Waltz group has been practicing together for more than a year.   The others in the group are Aaron and Braden Rasmussen, cousins of the Garner boys, and Haley Boone.  Braden Rasmussen is now serving a mission for the LDS church and Ethan Bramhall has joined the group in Braden's place.

These are ordinary teenagers who don’t even live in the same city.  They play soccer and basketball, swim, read books, go to school, and also study the piano. 

It’s a beautiful thing.