Local sisters Elizabeth, Mary and Naomi Erickson have garnered first place honors in several music competitions in the last two months. Traveling from Star Valley to Rexburg, Laramie and St. George, the girls have made their mark in the music world of young artists, and are preparing to take their accomplished performances to the next level with applications to regional competitions, as well as share their gifts in a concert of Praise and Thanksgiving on November 15 and 24 at 6 p.m. at the Star Valley Community Complex in Etna.

The three older daughters of Steve and Tiesha Erickson’s eight children in Bedford, 15-year-old Elizabeth, 13-year-old Mary, and 11-year-old Noami each study the piano, voice and conducting. Additionally, Elizabeth and Mary study the cello and Naomi studies the violin. Star Valley has seen these ladies before performing at the Stars in the Valley Christmas concert, the Classical Night of Music concert, Star Valley Kids Got Talent, and with the Salt River Symphony and Chorus.

Elizabeth and Mary each earned first place in both their piano and strings divisions at the Music Teachers National Association competition on November 1, which qualifies them for the MTNA regional competition against young winning musicians from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.  On October 17, Naomi placed first in her division at the Eastern Idaho Bach Competition in Rexburg. “She did amazing,” Tiesha told SVI Media. Mary also took first place honors in the junior division of the Brimhall Cello Competition in St. George on September 19 with a Dvorak piece, for which Elizabeth served as accompanist.

For the MTNA competition in Laramie, the girls played three pieces in each division, all by memory, which constitutes between 15 and 20 minutes of music played by memory each time they took the stage. When asked how they felt about their performances, both girls beamed with joy at just having the opportunity and performing in such a “beautiful” facility. “The piano had the perfect [response to my] touch and it was so fun to play, and the recital hall was the perfect place to play my cello,” said Elizabeth. When competing in the piano portion of the competition, Elizabeth “started feeling that my hard work was paying off. Performing, for me, is a reward for all those hours practicing. I felt it was my best performance I’ve ever had of all three pieces.”

Mary was surprised by the pleasure she felt during her performance. “Once I started playing, I just enjoyed the whole thing. I felt special.”

In their family’s home school, the girls spend four to five hours each day on their music, preparing for lessons with instructors in Rexburg and Salt Lake City. The remainder of their school day is focused on academics. Elizabeth particularly loves studying the doctrines of her faith, while Mary loves writing and sewing. They all enjoy reading and performing together, be it instrumental or vocal pieces.

The concert that the sisters have prepared contains “a little bit of classical and a little bit of sacred” music with a few of the pieces they presented in their competitions, as well as  a particular focus on gratitude and faith with several pieces the honor Christ. “We are hoping to fund the purchase of full-sized cellos for Mary and I,” said Elizabeth, as the sisters are outgrowing their current instruments. Community members are warmly invited to attend the concert produced by these budding, award-winning musicians, and consider a donation towards the needed larger instruments.