Forty-five years of music-making in Payson

This year's Huff Music Contest marked the forty-fifth gathering of talent in competition in Payson.  Pick up a copy of this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle for photos and story about the 2015 winners, as well as the contest's founder, the late Lewis Huff.

The late Lewis Huff’s love for music has continued long after a life dedicated to teaching and supporting the community’s songmakers, and entertaining everyone else.  This legacy took form on stage at the Payson High School Auditorium, March 3, as students competed in the forty-fifth annual Huff Music Contest.

Catherine Havens received the highest honor, the 2015 Huff Music Contest Sweepstakes prize, for her vocal solo performance in the evening’s competition. The Vocal Ensemble award went to Small Group 1, made up of Chloe Thompson, Kaitlyn Lisonbee, Karanda Heimuli, Emily Garrett, Matthew Webber, Seth Harrison, Jacob Hanks, Chase Radmall, and Jacob Hayes. The Piano Solo trophy went to Jaden Grill. Emma Harris’s saxophone performance earned her the Instrumental Solo prize.

Winners and all competitors now share the distinction of taking part in a revered talent competition, one established long ago by Payson’s own “Music Man,” Lewis Huff.

Lewis established and led numerous bands in Payson. “He was just like Harold Hill in The Music Man,” said his daughter, Colleen Huff Wilson who, along with older brother, Wayne Huff, oversee the annual competition.

Reviving a previous tradition, Lewis started the Huff Music Contest in 1967.  Throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s, the competition had been a project overseen by the Payson Kiwanis Club, a service organization of which Lewis had played an important role, serving as president as well as lieutenant governor at the state level.  The Curtis Music Contest was yet another competition involving youth that had ceased by this time, and whose void had been filled thanks to Lewis Huff.

The Huff Music Contest at first included only musicians from Payson High School, but soon allowed Payson Middle School and Payson Junior High School performers, done so at the request of other band directors, such as Roger Holt.  The competition would revert to its original structure around ten years ago.  Today it receives tremendous support from Payson High School Choir Director, Marilyn Morgan.  “Our job’s easy,” said Ms. Wilson. “We just pay for the trophies and she does it all.  She is to be commended.”

For carrying on a wonderful family and Payson tradition, the Lewis and Lois Huff’s children, Wayne and Colleen, along with siblings Larry Huff, LuAnn Wing, and the late Farrell Huff, are to be commended as well.