Richard Marx to Headline National Piano Conference at Raue Center

The Raue Center for the Arts has announced Richard Marx will headline the 2nd Annual National Piano Conference in June.

The conference runs from June 27 - 30, at the Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.

Marx will perform at 8 p.m. on June 29, according to Alexandra McMillin, marketing and development manager for the Raue.

A songwriter, producer and performer, Marx has sold more than 30 million albums, scored 14 chart-topping singles and earned a Grammy for song of the year, McMillin said in a release.

The Chicago native's chart-topping hits include “Hold on to the Nights,” “Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting.” Marx achieved a seven-year string of triumphs that rivaled any in pop-rock music history.

To this day, he is the only male artist in history to have his first seven singles reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts.

The National Piano Conference 2013 Line-Up:

Dean Malsack Youth Piano Competition

June 27, 2013 | Applications Due May 31, 2013

Raue Center For The Arts is proud to present the First Annual Dean Malsack Youth Piano Competition.

The competition is open to all non-professional youth pianists ages 10-18. Applications are now being accepted and due no later than May 31. Prizes will be awarded in Junior Division and Senior Division. For registration and more info visit www.rauecenter.org.

Exploring the Piano, One Key at a Time | Time and price TBD
A music course taught by Michael Pecak. Students, teachers, those new to classical music, lifelong‐music‐lovers, pianophiles are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be a Q & A segment afterwards – come with questions. For a full course description please visit www.rauecenter.org.

Youth Winner’s Circle | 7 p.m. | Suggested Donation
The Youth Winner’s Circle Concert features the top six winners of our Inaugural Dean Malsack Youth Piano Competition.

The contest will be judged by Julian Dawson. Interested in competing? The competition is open to all non-professional student pianists ages 10-18. Applications are due May 31, 2013. For complete details please visit www.rauecenter.org. There is a suggested donation at the door.

Friday, June 28
Nashville BBQ | 6 p.m. | $25
Join us for a special summer fundraiser to help support Raue Center's musical outreach programs.

Tickets includes BBQ fare and one drink. Be sure to stick around for Nashville Backstage: A Country Cabaret after the event, tickets are available starting at $24! This special event will also feature a cake-baking contest. To make your reservation or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 815-356-9212.

Nashville Backstage Series: A Country Cabaret | 8 p.m. | $24-$32
Nashville Backstage offers a unique opportunity to look inside the minds of the songwriters, who have given so many artists the pulse of their music. The final date of the season features Angela Kaset and Don Henry Dennis Matkosky, who wrote "She's a Manic" from the blockbuster movie Flashdance.

Saturday, June 29
Richard Marx | 8 p.m. | $49-$56
Richard Marx headlines the main event of the Piano Conference. The Grammy-award winning, platinum selling artists has an impressive resume. Across all formats, Marx has scored an amazing total of 14 #1 singles, both as a performer and songwriter/producer, making him a true multi-talented threat who continues to challenge himself and his fans.

Sunday, June 30
An Evening with Danny Wright | 7 p.m. | $20 in advance, $25 day of
Danny will present an evening specially designed for the Raue Center, with pieces chosen from his eclectic repertoire, and including Classical favorites, Broadway & Film hits, and his own original Solo Piano compositions, all interspersed with heartwarming stories of the lives and loves captured in his music.

Tickets are on sale now online via www.rauecenter.org, and through the Box Office at 26 N. Williams Street or by calling 815-356-9212. Raue Center’s Piano Weekend is sponsored by Piano Trends Music Company and

Submitted by the Raue Center for the Arts