Local News: Third Philharmonic Orchestra Concert with Piano Duos (02/09/22)

The mother-daughter piano duo of Julie Lewis and Ann Lewis Marzette will be featured at the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra concert on Sunday, February 13.
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This Sunday, February 13, the Marshall Philharmonic will continue its Twice the Music – Twice the Fun series, featuring the mother-daughter piano duo of Julie Lewis and Ann Lewis Marzette. This admission-free concert, guaranteed by Wood & Huston Bank, will take place at Harold L. Lickey Auditorium at Bueker Middle School in Marshall and begin at 2:30 p.m.
True to the theme of the orchestra’s 59th season, Sunday’s concert will be doubly filled with hometown spirit and the superb musical talent of the Lewis family.
Born and raised in Marshall, Julie Lewis graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in piano. She had a piano studio for many years, was an accompanist for Marshall High School for 17 years, and accompanied the Marshall Community Chorus for 32 years. She was also a pianist and organist for 45 years at First Baptist Church before moving to Kansas City in April 2021.
Ann Lewis Marzette is the daughter of Jim and Julie Lewis. She graduated from William Jewell College in 2009 with degrees in piano performance and church music with vocal emphasis. In 2013, she completed a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Central Missouri. She currently teaches at Kearney Middle School, where she is director of vocal music, teaches popular music lessons, and participates in the high school vocal program. Prior to teaching at Kearney, Ann was a vocal music teacher at Marshall High School for four years. She has been a member of the Te Deum chamber choir since 2009. In her “spare time” she also runs a side business to pie: Easy As Pie KC.
DFO bandleader Kevin Lines bragged about Sunday’s guest artists: “Julie and Ann Lewis are a ‘dream team’ as musicians! We are so excited and proud to welcome them back to Marshall as very special guests. The countless hours these two amazing and busy women have spent at the keyboard over their lifetimes, most of them serving the Marshall community, probably exceeds the time they have taken to eat and sleep! You’ll never meet two more skilled and true-to-their-craft, yet equally remarkable, soloists who have so much fun playing together. This is one concert you won’t want to miss!
On Sunday’s repertoire program, four piano duets travel the European continent in song, including works from Austria, Spain, Russia and Hungary. The orchestra, on the other hand, will feature music and composers from 20th-century America, beginning with “Declaration Overture” by Missouri composer Claude T. Smith.
Claude Thomas Smith was born in Monroe City, Mo., studied at Central Methodist College and the University of Kansas, taught at Chillicothe, and has composed over 100 works for band, orchestra, and choir. He wrote music for many famous musicians, including “Doc” Severinsen, and received many prestigious commissions, including compositions for the US Air Force Band and the “President’s Own” US Marine Band.
Sunday’s selection, “Declaration Overture,” dedicated to Smith’s wife Maureen, is still one of the most popular releases from Claude’s famous but short musical career.
The DFO Board of Directors invites the entire community to come out and support the musical spirit of Marshall’s hometown at this third concert of the season. This event is suitable for participants of all ages.