From Brad Momsen: I had studied with Don Betts at Macalester College during my 7th and 8th grade school years, then with a private teacher in St. Paul, the very "German" Minka Bartels for three years. She sent me to Philip for my senior year claiming she brought me as far as she was able. Minka was wonderful and very passionate about music. Most of my lessons ended up being in broken German / Dutch and she stood in the crook of the grand piano singing while I played.
Going to Philip was an amazing change. First, there was that "secret" entrance to 1000 University where one felt you slipped out of the urban cityscape into some strangely fantastical bohemian world - at least for a high school senior from St. Paul (we're talking 1971-72 here). I remember him always dressed in a rumpled white shirt and skinny black tie (or am I dreaming?) I remember the chair he sat in across the room with beverage of choice in hand. Then there was the shock that after the first time I played for Philip, his few words, succinct and precisely chosen, were in English. I'm sure I looked like a deer frozen in headlights.
What he did for me in a year was really amazing in retrospect. Though I attributed much of my advancement in performance to him, I never fully realized at the time how he did it. He knew exactly how to hone into my strengths and address my weaknesses. Lessons were split between technique building and coaching. His passion for music was authentic and always rooted in the music. That spring I won my division in MMTA and had the opportunity to perform in Northrop Auditorium. When I had signed up for a summer music camp at the U of MN, he steered me toward Paul Freed, who became my teacher during my undergraduate and graduate years. I understood perfectly where Paul's philosophy of teaching and the integrity of music was coming from having benefited from a brief, but all too important tenure with Philip.
I kept up with Philip through Paul for a while, but sadly, did not maintain a relationship with him for long. I was extremely fortunate to spend a year with Philip. I knew at the time he was a respected teacher and mentor, but never really understood or appreciated his standing among teachers. As you know, he was a person that never needed to draw attention to his credentials. I don't recall much was revealed about his own career and life other than his travels to France when I studied with him.
1972 MTNA State Winners1972 Paul Halvorson, MTNA State Audition Winner, High School Division, Jan. 16th. Competed at MTNA Regional Competition in Denver, CO, Feb. 6th. As state winner performed with St. Paul Youth Orchestra on April 26th - Mozart Piano Concerto #23, 1st Movement. Scheduled performance at MMTA Young Artists Concert (June 18th) was scratched from program after printed: Prokofieff - Suggestion Diabolique
1972 Paul Halvorson Concerto Performance1972 Frank Trnka, MTNA State Audition Winner, College Division, Jan. 16th. Competed at MTNA Regional Competition in Denver, CO, Feb. 6th. As state winner performed with St. Paul Civic Orchestra on Dec. 10th - Mozart Piano Concerto K. 595. Scheduled performance at MMTA Young Artists Concert (June 18th) was scratched from program after printed: Debussy - Isle Joyeuse
1972 Frank Trnka Concerto Performance1973 June 10: Wendy Williams, Young Artist Soloist, MMTA Honors Concert - Chopin - c-sharp Scherzo; Schubert Club - Scholarship - yr. missing in archives, so don’t know what played
Wendy Williams, Minnesota Music Teachers' Association Concert, June 10, 1973 1974 Dale Korogi, MMTA Young Artists Concert - Brahms - Rhapsodie 119 #4
Dale Korogi, Minneapolis Music Teachers' Forum Scholarship Winner, 19751975 Dale Korogi, MMTA Young Artists Concert - performed, piece not listed; MMTF Honors Concert -Frances Oliver Scholarship
From Dale Korogi: I was delighted to receive your note about Mr. Lillestol. Like you, certainly, I think about him so, so often, very grateful for his influence in my life. I believe I started with Philip in the fall of '71 and stayed with him until the fall of '77 when I went to the College of St. Thomas. I did all the usual MMTA, Forum, Schubert Club, Thursday Musical recitals and competitions. I don't recall what I won or didn't win, but I did play a concerto with the Lake Harriet orchestra one summer which, I think, was for winning or coming in second for the MMTA syllabus exam.
Wendy Williams, Minneapolis Music Teachers' Forum Scholarship Winner, 19751975 Wendy Williams, MMTF Honors Concert - Jeanette Casey Scholarship
Thomas Valente, Minneapolis Music Teachers' Forum Scholarship Winner, 19761976 Thomas Valente, MMTA Young Artists Concert - Liszt - Les jeux d'eau a la Villa d'Este, MMTF Honors Concert - Frances Oliver Scholarship, Liszt - Fountains of Villa D'este
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