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E-mail This StoryIf a movie producer wanted to remake “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” a tale of two piano-playing brothers, he might look to Mathew, Daniel, and Graham Mitlyng for authentic casting.
The Celina brothers brought home trophies for the mantle after they recently earned Outstanding honors in piano at American Music Federation Allstate Competition in San Marcos, Texas.
Competing at The National Federation of Music Piano Solo competition, the Mitlyngs earned top marks at the district level with Texas Federation of Music and from there have gone on to All-State competition with the National Federation of Music.
At All-State, each boy received top honors of Outstanding for their piano solo performance. This year they have each received their three-year cup for competing for three consecutive years at All-State.
Out of the Outstanding pianists one is selected for the top “all-state” award.
“I figure if I keep trying I’ll eventually win the one top “All-State” award maybe next year,” Mathew said.
The family, including their grandmother visiting from England, traveled to San Marcos for the event.
“This is the third year all of my boys have made Outstanding at the competition,” mother Sue Mitlyng said.
Mathew, 16, has studied the piano for nine years. He also plays percussion in the Celina High School marching band. He is also working on his Eagle Scout award lacking two merit badges.
“I hope to complete them and earn my Eagle Scout award,” Mathew said.
Academically he is an honor student and AP student and is in the Beta Club. He also played soccer before moving to Celina.
Daniel, 14, has studied piano for seven years. He is a percussionist in the Celina Junior High School band. He is an active Boy Scout and plays football.
“Every year I’ve been scheduled last. It’s nerve racking having to wait,” Daniel said. “But it gets easier every year.”
Graham, 11, has studied the piano for four years. He also is a percussionist in the band, is in Boy Scouts, and plays basketball.
“I was really happy that my Grandma was staying with us from England, and she got to go with us,” Graham said. “She really loves listening to us play.”
Musicians who are talented piano players are often natural choices for percussion in a band.
“Pianists are generally placed in percussion section, as they have varied skills to learn and typically have to read base and treble clef at same time, hence three percussionists in our family,” Sue Mitlyng said.
The two older brothers studied piano when they lived in Plano, and continued piano study when they moved to Celina. Graham soon followed in their footsteps.
“Regarding their piano and musicality, each of the brothers has a varied and distinctive ability, and each one is excellent within their individual style,” piano teacher Carolyn Steinberg said. “… I have enjoyed teaching them and have found them always very responsive. I am very proud of their work and achievements.”
The brothers will continue their piano studies with Seth Thomas, who is under the auspices of Carolyn Steinberg as an intern studying music pedagogy.
