A former Estevan resident has received top marks for his ability on the piano.
Max Hiske, a 15-year-old who now resides in Weyburn, received the Medal of Excellence for Saskatchewan from Conservatory Canada for those at the Grade 8 level.
“I had to prepare a certain number of songs from each style, and I was required to know a certain amount of technique, like scales and chords, and I would demonstrate my scales and repertoire for the examiner,” said Hiske.
Those styles focused on three different classic periods: baroque, classical and romantic. He also played some contemporary songs.
“It’s quite the task to get (Grade 8), it almost took me a year and a half to prepare for that. It’s a lot of work,” said Hiske. “Most … teachers I’ve heard have said Grade 8 (Conservatory Canada) is kind of like in high school when you graduate Grade 12.”
For the exams, he not only had to complete the practical component, in which he plays the selections, but there was the theory part, in which he demonstrated his book knowledge of the piano.
As for the Medal of Excellence, it is handed out to the highest mark for completed exams in the entire province. He received a score of 88 of 100 for the practical exam, and 96 for the theory test.
Hiske has been invited to a celebratory dinner and student recital in London, Ont., in early November, along with all of the other Medal of Excellence recipients from across Canada. He’s not sure if he will be able to attend the reception.
If he doesn’t, then the medal would be mailed to him, or he would receive it at a provincial ceremony.
He is now studying for his Grade 9 exam with Conservatory Canada with his current instructor, Cherith Alexander of Weyburn, and he hopes to attain Grade 10, which is the furthest he can advance through Conservatory Canada. He also started studying with the Royal Conservatory of Canada at the end of the summer.
Hiske has been playing the piano since he was five years old.
“I love music in general, and I just love playing piano and studying it,” said Hiske. “It’s a really good thing for everybody. And I love being able to prepare songs and then play them for the festivals in the later part of the year, and bringing my work to other people.”
Hiske’s former instructor in Estevan is Larysa Arkhypova. She spent three years instructing him until he moved to Weyburn. Hiske’s mother informed Arkhypova about the recognition, and she was excited about it.
“He has a very, very special talent,” said Arkhypova. “I would say he has a very great future, because he has excellent potential. He understands those things that are very hard to understand for people. He’s also very creative.”
Hiske also has a tremendous work ethic to go with his talent.
Arkhypova really enjoyed working with Hiske. She enjoyed listening to him play, and it always helped her relax.
“His interpretation was very interesting to me,” said Arkhypova.
Hiske credited Arkhypova with his development as a musician, thanks to the knowledge she brings. He also praised his first piano teacher, Anita Kuntz of Estevan, for the difference she made to his piano-playing abilities.
