WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsBrothers to play in national duet competition

Brothers to play in national duet competition

by Colby Robertson

WAUSAU (WAOW) -- Two teenage brothers from Eagle River are learning that hard work pays off.

Next month the Doerr Brothers will head to New Mexico to compete in a national piano competition.

Michael and Robert Doerr started playing piano 11 years ago. Now they're national finalists after winning their division for the Music Teachers National Association Senior Duet Piano competition.

This journey for the Doerr brothers started at a very young age. Years of hard work and hours of practice every single day. Now, Robert and Michael prepare for the biggest competition of their life with one another by their side.

Michael Doerr, 15,  says, "All the hours of piano you've practiced finally to have something to show for it is very exciting."

Robert Doerr, 17, says, "This is the first big experience my brother and I have had at piano."

They will be one of seven duet competitors at the MTNA National finals in Albuquerque New Mexico. For the next four weeks they will eat, sleep and play the piano. They practice Franz Schubert's Fantasy in F minor; one of two songs they'll perform during the competition.

Robert Doerr says, "We find that we can play well with each other because we play off each other. We're siblings, so we know each other very well."

For the past four years, they've turned to teacher Bette Close here at the Wausau Conservatory of Music making the trip from Eagle River every Thursday afternoon.

Bette Close says, "They're just exceptional young men and very bright and they inspire me to be a better teacher because they work so hard and so it challenges me which is what every teacher wants."

For these brothers it will be the experience of a lifetime and one they'll never forget.

Robert Doerr says, "This definitely is the greatest duet competition we will probably ever compete in."

The Doerr family will leave for Albuquerque on March 15th. The national duet winners receive a cash prize and will perform in a winners concert during the MTNA's national conference.

Online Reporter: Colby Robertson