This year’s music award competition was chaired by Dave Stover, Dan Stover’s son.  The judges for the competition were:  Bob Young; George Fasching; Tom Crosby and Dave Freeman.

        The judging criteria for the completion are 1.  Tone; Quality/Intonation; 2.  Technique;  3.  Interpretation;  4.  General Effect;  and 5.  Total Score.

        Dave introduced the musicians for the competition and the award named after Dave’s father, Dan.    Dave gave insights into his father and how the award came to be.  Dan was born in 1912 in  India to a missionary family.  The family decided to return to America and were to return to the United States via ship, interestingly known as the “Titanic”.  Fortunately for us, the family missed the sailing and Dan came to the U.S.  They settled in Alhambra, which is where the competition got started. Dan loved music, especially piano and could play just about any song.  He also had a great sense of humor. 

 Former District Governor Chris Montan made the competition a District wide competition and then it became a Rotary wide competition and award.

The three entrants from Arcadia High School were Calvin Chu, Stanley Yuan and Joshua Man.  They were accompanied to the competition by Arcadia High School Orchestra Director, Tom Forbes.

        Calvin began by playing Ashokan  Farewell by Jay Younger on the Viola.  Second was Stanley Yuan, on the piano who played the Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt, and finally, Joshua Man on the piano with Debussy’s Reflections on the Water.

After all three performed, and judges started their scoring, each contestant was introduced and spoke about their musical experiences and future goals.  Calvin has been playing musical instruments for three years and is self taught.  He also plays 9 other intstruments.  He wants to continue his musical experiences and hopes to become a Bio-Engineer.  Stanley has been playing piano since he was  four.  He admitted, that he was forced to play by his parents, but now loves piano.  While continuing his musical experiences, he hopes to go into Neuro Science.  Lastly, Joshua said he has been playing piano for 13 years.  He is a member of Senior Men and Women at Arcadia and also is in track.  He is planning on attending the College of Medicine at the University of Miami.

The winners were:  Joshua Man, first place and the recipient of a $500 award, 2nd place Stanley Yuen, a $250 check and 3rd Calvin Chu with a check for $200.  The  winner goes on to the District completion and on to International.  The grand prize is $5000.  Everyone agreed all three were fantastic.

 (Tony Parrille)