Ben Scharf to perform in recital

Ben Scharf practices for his January 9 recital. Photo by Rongi Yost

Ben Scharf will perform in a recital on Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecture/Drama Room at Sisters High School.

"I just want to share what I've been working on with the community," said Scharf.

The Sisters student has become increasingly prominent in the community as a musician.

"Ben's most impressive attribute as a musician is his incredible sense of style," said Scharf's jazz teacher, Jody Henderson. "Ben has been brought up in a household where listening to music is a central activity. He has been involved as an active listener and performer of many, many styles of music for his entire life.

"This will be very evident in his upcoming recital performance as he demonstrates mastery of music from the 16th, 17th and 20th centuries and presents his own interpretations of jazz and original compositions," Henderson said.

Henderson clearly remembers hearing Ben play as an eighth grade student.

"I thought at the time he was already playing more artistically and maturely than many adults are able to after a lifetime of practice," he said. "I know Ben will excel through the rigorous demands of a university music department."

Scharf started taking lessons when he was in first grade from local piano teacher Donna Moyer. After three years he began taking lessons from Jean Schrader of Redmond.

"Jean is an accompanist for the Obsidian Opera and a classical pianist," Scharf said, "She's also a music theory expert and I wanted to step up my level of learning and I knew she'd be able to help me do that."

Over the last few years Scharf has been taking lessons from Andy Armer while keeping up lessons with Schrader.

"Andy is a professional jazz pianist who moved here from L.A.," said Scharf. "He records sound files for video games and other media projects."

Scharf plans on pursuing a career in music. He believes the recital will prepare him to be more comfortable in performance situations.

"Colleges want you to be a competent musician upon entering their program," said Ben. "They want to know what kind of musician you are before they offer you any scholarships."

To show this competence, musicians must audition and are required to play three classical pieces from different time periods. They must also be able to play scales fluently.

Colleges with programs that specialize in jazz studies require another separate audition. The University of Oregon has a specialized program and Ben is seriously looking at attending there.

Scharf plans to concentrate his studies in jazz piano.

"After I get my Masters I've thought about teaching at the college level. I'd also like to write musical compositions for other studio musicians."