||| FROM SHELLY RUSSELL |||
Thurmond Russell, 17, of Orcas Island participated in the Washington State Music Teachers Association 2025 Young Composers Project. Thurmond’s composition, Waltz Ballade for solo piano, was awarded first place in his age group. He will perform his
winning composition at the WSMTA State Conference in June.
The judge providing comments remarked, “I’m very impressed! The embellishments are tasteful, and the Romantic chromaticism throughout the piece is wonderful. I also appreciated the expressive rubato in your performance. The music breathes naturally between sections, and the overarching narrative is beautiful…Your voice leading is impressive, and the piece features many beautiful, lyrical melodies. I especially love how your writing makes the piano sing. Congratulations!”
Waltz Ballade is one piece in a dance suite which Thurmond is currently composing for solo piano. Other current projects include composing an SATB arrangement of the Dies Irae, a piano trio, and a Bilingual Mass Setting.
Thurmond studies piano, composition, and voice and is looking forward to offering another recital this summer.
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Congratulations to Thurmond and the entire Russell family. It’s wonderful to see a young person with a genuine passion for music!
Congratulations. Looking forward to hearing much more about you in the future.