Elgin pianist finishes in top 10 at Polish Fest competition
Submitted by Judson University
The Judson University Community Music School is celebrating the success of one of its brightest students, 16-year-old Joseph Schambach of Elgin for his success at the 15th annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition. The competition was held at the Polish Fest in Milwaukee on June 16.
Schambach was one of 10 finalists to perform in this highly competitive piano competition, and was honored to be awarded third place for his performance of Chopin’s Polonaise Op. 26, No. 1. Schambach is a student of Robert Kania, professor of music at the Judson Community Music School.
“Joseph has been studying with me since last fall and during this time he has made a tremendous progress not only in a technical sense of mastering the piano but also as a musician and artist,” Kania said. “It is important to note that besides being a talented pianist he works extremely hard on developing his craft and achieving his goals.”
The oldest of 10 children, Schambach is home schooled and has been studying piano for nine years. He aspires to become a concert pianist in the future.
The Judson Community Music School, established in 2006, provides affordable music instruction to students of all ages. Lessons are taught by dedicated, experienced instructors in most instruments, voice, music theory and worship arts. This year, the music school taught more than 90 students.
During the week of June 24-28, the music school hosted more than 75 students in kindergarten to 12th grade in their annual Fox Valley Music Camp held on Judson’s campus, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. The week’s festivities concluded with two recitals at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., where camp students performed using the new skills and knowledge they learned during their week at the music camp.
“Our Community Music School developed in conjunction with our Fox Valley Music Camp,” Kania said. “This is our eighth year developing these two projects and they have both became very successful. Our students have won competitions, made it to the very prestigious IMEA program, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, and even received scholarships to study music at Northwestern University.”
Judson University is a fully accredited, private Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions. Judson offers degrees in more than 60 different majors/minors for traditional, graduate, and adult students. Judson University ranks consistently among the Top-Tier of Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. In 2013, Judson is celebrating its Golden Centennial Anniversary, commemorating 50 years since the college’s relocation to Elgin in 1963, after being founded in 1913 as part of Northern Theological Seminary.