Randy Dowell could win $1,000 by playing his own composition of classical music, a sample of the theme from "Law and Order" and a little Iron Maiden thrown in for good measure.
Dowell, 14, took first place in the Rotary District 5190 music contest held at the Carson Nugget March 9. He took home $250 and has the chance to compete in the finals of the Rotary Club's music competition at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks May 6.
The ninth-grade Carson Valley Middle School student played drums and was accompanied by his brother Corey, 17, on guitar. The music was an original composition by the brothers.
Randy Dowell's father, Trent, describes himself as his sons' "roadie."
"The competitors all played classical music," said Trent Dowell. "Randy felt out of place because he was playing rock and roll on the drums. He smoked them but the other kids were cool with it."
Randy Dowell has played trumpet for five years, was in the honor band last year, and started playing drums a year ago.
"I was always messing with sticks, beating on stuff," he said.
Dowell thinks he'll continue to play the trumpet and drums and just bought himself a guitar with the prize money. He also plays bass guitar and drums in the Gall Stones band. They perform a Teen Spirit mass at St. Gall Catholic Church at 5 p.m. every Sunday.
Dowell found out about the Rotary contest from his drum teacher, Tommy Arnold, from Maytan Music. He plans to beef up his composition for the finals.
"I didn't think the music would be all classical," Dowell said. "For the finals, my brother will back me on guitar again but we'll probably add more to the beginning - some classical music."
Alice Sady won $100 for the second-place prize in the regional music competition.
The Carson Valley Middle School ninth-grader played the piano piece, "Nocturne," by Samuel Barber.
Sady, 15, is in the honor and all-state choirs at Douglas High School and has been taking ballet for 13 years. She is involved with the theater program at Western Nevada Community College and has performed in "Carousel," "Beauty and the Beast," "Fiddler on the Roof" and is currently in the dance troupe for WNCC's production of "Grease."
Sady takes two honors classes and a college prep class and piano lessons with James Winn at the University of Nevada, Reno, every Saturday.
"I don't watch a lot of TV," said Sady.
Although she said she will continue with piano, she might consider taking acting and dancing in college.
"You never know," said Sady. "My opinion will change in the next three minutes."
The best high school instrumentalists from different Rotary districts will perform no longer than eight minutes for the chance to win $1,000 in prize money. The Rotary-sponsored final music contest will be held May 6 at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks.
