September 1975
Jeannie began piano lessons with Mrs Lucy Chu in a class of 4 students. One of the students was Mimi Lee

September 1976
After 1 year of class piano, Mrs Chu decided to teach Jeannie and Mimi together at duo pianos in her studio
since they were so evenly matched. After 5 months, Mrs Chu entered them in their 1st competition

Their success in competition brought them requests for performances from a variety of local clubs and organizations

Jeannie & Mimi (January 1977)
Their 1st Public Performance at age 7
Tempo Unit of Columbus Symphony

The Program
Minuet in g minor (Bach) Mimi
Minuet in G (Bach) Jeanne
Dance of the Reed Flutes (Tchaikovsky) Mimi
Chinese Dance (Tchaikovsk)y Jeanne
Ocean Roar (Bastien) Mimi
Little Dance (Bastien) Jeanne
Opening Night (Rock with Jazz) Mimi
Old Orleans (Rock with Jazz) Jeanne
Maple Leaf Rag (Jopli)n Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) Jeanne

Duets (Jeannie & Mimi)
The Sound of Music -
The Lonely Goetherd
Edelweiss
16 Going on 17
Do Re Mi

Muirfield Village and Golf Course was designed by
Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus

Nicklaus, the "Golden Bear" was a native of
Upper Arlington where his father owned
a pharmacy still operated under the Nicklaus name

The "Muirfield Memorial" Golf Tournament was
in honor of his father.

At the Grand Opening of Muirfield in 1977
local musicians were invited to perform in different
venues along the tour of the village.

Jeanne & Mimi were among them
Usually Mimi played the Beethoven 1st mvt & Jeanne the 2nd
For some reason they reversed the order this time

Muirfield Village Program - October 1977
Sonatina in F (Beethoven)
1st mvt - Jeanne
2nd mvt - Mimi
2 "popular pieces"
The Entertainer (Joplin) Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th Mimi
8 Duets
(including some not on their usual program)
Minuet (Mozart)
Waltzes (Strauss)
Washington Post (Sousa)
Comedian's Gallop (Kabalevsky)
Can Can (Offenbach)
Boogie for Two (Martin)
California Here I Come
Get Happy

February 1978

Practice with Mimi for Bexley Unit
Duets
California Here I Come
Washington Post
Waltz
Can Can
Solos
Sonatina in F (Beethoven) - Jeanne
Sonatina (Kuhlau) - Mimi
Rumba (Weybright) - Jeanne
Curious Story (Heller) - Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) - Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th - Mimi

Duets again (see above list)

Bexley Unit Performance - February 28, 1978
Solos
Sonatina in F (Beethoven) - Jeanne
Sonatina (Kuhlau) - Mimi
Rumba (Weybright) - Jeanne
Curious Story (Heller) - Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) - Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th - Mimi
Duets:
California Here I Come
Washington Post
Waltz
Can Can

Bexley Unit Practice with Mimi
Solos
Duets ( Same program as at left)
Cute little girl voices ("SOOsa not SOWsa")
with Moms' comments and siblings' noise
Rough Duet practice (lots of giggling)
Fixing problems in the Waltz duet
"Both playing the same E and bumping into each other"
" If you're not playing the E, get off it"

Duo Piano Practice - April 1978
Clementi (3 mvts) metronome 112, 96 & 92
Take 1 - Take 2 - Take 3 - Take 4

Dussek (2 mvts) metronome 108 & 126
Take 1 - Take 2

March 1978 Jeannie & Mimi Practicing together
for 3 upcoming performances
(Includes chatter of the girls and mothers)

Sonatina in F Mvt 2 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Sonatina Opus 55 # 1 Mvt 1 (Kuhlau) Mimi
Rumba (Weybrigh)t Jeanne
Curious Story (Heller) Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th - Mimi

Duets (Jeanne & Mimi)
California Here I Come
Washington Post (Sousa)
Waltzes (Strauss)
Waltzes (Strauss) again
Waltzes (part of it for balance) (Strauss)
Can Can (Offenbach)

continued
Sonatina in F Mvt 2 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Sonatina Opus 55 # 1 Mvt 1 (Kuhlau) Mimi
Rumba (Weybright) Jeanne
Curious Story (Heller) Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th - twice Mimi
Duets (Jeanne & Mimi)
California Here I Come
Washington Post - twice (Sousa)
Waltzes - twice (Strauss)
Can Can (Offenbach

 

3 Performances March 78 - Jeanne & Mimi
Same Program Each Time (see below)
Columbus Symphony UNITS were groups supporting
the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Bexley Unit

Upper Arlington Unit
Part 1 & Part 2 (last duet)
since I had to flip the tape over

Heritage House Retirement Home
Lady introducing the girls spoke very very slowly
Perhaps due to the age of the audience?
Very Good except a very unusual mess up in the Waltzes Duet

The Program
Sonatina in F Mvt 2 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Sonatina Opus 55 #1 Mvt 1 (Kuhlau) Mimi
Rumba (Weybright) Jeanne
Curious Story (Helle) Mimi
The Entertainer (Joplin) Jeanne
Theme from Beethoven's 5th Mimi

Duets - Jeanne & Mimi
California Here I Come
Washington Post (Sousa)
Waltzes (Strass)
Can Can Offenbach

 

March 1978

Mrs Chu - Lesson - Jeanne & Mimi - Clementi Duo Pianos

June 1978
Practice for Clintonville Women's Club Performance
Duo Pianos - Jeannie & Mimi
Sonatina Opus 36 # 3 Mvt 3 (arr 2 pianos) Clementi

Sonatina Opus 36 # 3 Mvts 1,2 & 3 (arr 2 pianos) Clementi

Lucy Chu Recital - June 3, 1978

Cool Caboose Karen
Lively Dance (Gillock Level 3) - Karen

America 76 Double Duet
(Karen & Patty Lee, Jon & Laura Chu)

Sonatina Opus 20 #1 (Dussek) Mvts 1&2 Duo Pianos
( Jeanne & Mimi)

Duets - DCCW Convention Practice (Jeanne & Mimi)
Washinton Post & Boogie for 2
Sonatina in C mvts 1 & 2 (Andre)
Can Can (Offenbach) Waltzes (Strauss)
The Entertainer (Joplin)

This invitation came about because a viewer of
QUBE-TV Talent Search 1978 saw Jeanne & Mimi perform

At the Final Competition the Emcee annouced
this uncoming performance and that
"500 people including 2 Bishops would be in attendance"

DCCW Convention (Neil House) - Oct-Nov 1978
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

Background noise is wait staff clearing dishes
Sonata in C 1st & 2nd mvts (Mozart)
I think Mimi played the 1st mvt & Jeanne the 2nd

5 Duets
(Also hear Mrs Lee answering questions at the table from guests)
The Washington Post
Boogie for Two
Waltzes (Strauss)
Can Can (Offenbach)
The Entertainer (Joplin)

1978 & 1979 were busy years for Jeanne & Mimi

In addition to their appearances before local groups,
they performed 5 times on QUBE TV's Talent Search 1978
winning daily, weekly, monthly & semifinal competitions &
finally becoming the Grand Prize Winners which included
a trip to NYC and tickets to "Annie" for the girls & their mothers

Quite a surprise after 44 years
to find the Finals video on Youtube

The Talent Search 1978 Finals video

Summer of 1979 at the Ohio State Fair
Multiple Performances again

Talent Fair 1979

 

Practice for CSO Minuet Unit - October 1978

Sonata in C Mvt 1 (Mozart) Jeanne
Minuet in G (Bach) Karen
Sonata in C Mvt 2 (Mozart) Jeanne
The Entertainer (Joplin) Karen
Duets from Sound of Music Jeanne & Karen
Do Re Mi (Bobby singing along) - tape cuts off
Theme from Sound of Music (

Minuet Symphony Unit - November 1978
Karen's FIRST performance (age 6) Jeanne (age 9)

Sonata in C Mvt 1 (Mozart) Jeanne
Minuet in G (Bach) Karen
Sonata in C Mvt 2 Mozart Jeanne
** The Entertainer (Joplin) Karen
Do Re Mi (Duet) Jeanne & Karen
The Sound of Music (Duet) Jeanne & Karen

April 1979 Practice - Jeanne & Mimi
Choosing Pieces for Upcoming Program

Duets
Sonatina in C - Rondo (Mozart)
Boogie for 2 (Martin)
Maple Leaf Rag (Joplin)
Sonata in F (Rondo) (Dussek)
The Entertainer (Joplin)
Solos
Sonatina Opus 49 #2 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Sonatina Mvt ? (Kuhlau) Mimi
Manhattan Mood (Recital Tidbits, Book 5) Jeanne
Interlude (Recital Tidbits, Book 5) Mimi
Variation on Little Brown Jug (Nevin) Jeanne

April 25, 1979
Clintonville Womens' Club - Jeannie & Mimi
Solos
Sonatina Opus 49 #2 Mvt 1 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Sonatina Mvt 1 (Kuhlau) Mimi
Variation on Little Brown Jug (Nevin) Jeanne
Jogging Along the Trail (Glover) Mimi
Duets
The Entertainer (Joplin)
Sonata in F - Rondo (Dussek)
Maple Leaf Rag (Joplin)
Boogie for 2 (Martin)

Summer 1979
Duets Practice for Ohio State Fair
Lonely Gotherd - Do Re Mi - Boogie for 2

May 1979
Lesson with Mrs Chu on 2 Pianos

Arkansas Traveller
St Anthony Chorale Brahms
St Anthony Chorale (better) Brahms
St Anthony Chorale (best) Brahms

Mrs Chu Recital - June 3, 1979
St Anthony Chorale (LIVE) (Brahms 2 pianos) - Jeanne & Mimi
Cool Caboose Karen
Allegro Molto (in Progress?) Beethoven Duet

Overture Unit - October 10, 1979
Jeanne's sister Karen was paired with Patty Lee for lessons
Karen (Age 7) & Patty Lee (Age 8) - no relation to Mimi

Sonatina Opus 36 #1 Mvt 1 (Clementi) Patty
Sonatina Opus 36 #1 Mvt 3 (Clement)i Karen
Fiesta (Gillock) Patty
Cool Caboose (Rock with Jazz, Book 4) Karen

Duets - Karen & Patty
Haikus from the River (Noona)
Raging Storm (Turk)
Fugue on Russian Theme (Arensky)
Down Home Dance (Noona)

Pat White Recital - November 18, 1979

Karen & Jeanne were guest performers
Sonatina Opus 36 #1 Mvt 1 (Clementi) Karen
Arabesque I (Debussy) Jeanne

Pat White Recital
November 16, 1980

John White introduced Guest Performers
Karen & Jeanne Backofen & Mimi Lee
"Students of Lucy Chu - the 'Woody Hayes'
of piano in Columbus

Sonatina Opus 20 #1 (Kuhlau) Karen
Duet - Hungarian Dance? (Brahams) Jeanne & Mimi

Recital of Lucy Chu - May 1980

Solos - Karen, Jeanne, Mimi
The Clown (Kabalevsky) Karen
Sonata Opus 49 #1 Mvt 1 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Invention # 8 (Bach) Mimi

Sonatina Opus 55 #3 (Kuhlau) Patty Lee

Recital of Lucy Chu - May 1980
Karen (Age 7) Patty (Age 9)
Jeanne (Age 10) Mimi (Just turned 11 in April)

Karen & Patty Lee
"Minuet in G and Arkansas Traveller"

Theme from The Apartment (Duo Pianos)
Jeanne & Mimi

October 1980 Practice

Sonata Opus 49 #1 (Beethoven) Jeanne
Prelude in D (Bach) Jeanne

Hunting Song (Mendelsohn) Mimi
Waltz Opus 64 #2 (Chopin) Jeanne

Trying out new Duets (Jeanne & Mimi)
Hungarian Dance (Brahams)
Spanish Dance (?)
Military March (Schubert)

October 1980
Linden Women's Club
Solos
Waltz Opus 64 #2 (Chopin) Jeanne
Hunting Song (Mendelsohn) Mimi

Duets Jeanne & Mimi
Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha)
Hungarian Dance #6 (?)
Spanish Dance #1 (Machowsky
Military March (Schubert)
Boogie for Two (Martin)

Recital of Lucy Chu - May 1981

Sonatina Opus 20 #1 - (Kuhlau) Karen
Spinning Song (Mendelsohn) Jeanne
Minute Waltz (Chopin) Mimi
Marriage of Figaro (Overture) (Mozart) Jeanne & Mimi
Sonatina in C (Weber) Jeanne & Mimi
Bumble Boogie (2 Pianos) Jeanne & Mimi

Luncheon Program - June 2 1981
Solos
Spinning Song (Mendelsohn) Jeanne
Minute Waltz (Chopin) Mimi
Duets - Jeanne & Mimi
Impossible Dream
Polanaise Militaire (Chopin)
Contra Dance (Beethoven)
Hungarian Dance (Brahms)
Marriage of Figaro Overture (Mozart)

Jeanne & Mimi - June 1981

This photo in Mrs Chu's living room
is their last photo together

Jeanne (Age 12) Karen (Age 9)

"Transition" Performance - September 1981
Mrs Chu thought it best that Jeanne & Mimi study
with 2 different teachers
This was their last performance together

Overture Unit of Columbus Symphony
Jeanne, Mimi & Karen

(Mozart) Sonata in C Mvt 1 and Mozart Goes Boogie Karen
The end part of Boogie for 2 (Martin) Jeanne & Karen (forgot to turn tape back on?)
Jeanne & Mimi
Impromptu in A Flat (Schubert) Jeanne
Fantasie Impromptu (Chopin) Mimi
Impossible Dream Jeanne & Mimi
Polonaise Militaire (Chopin) Jeanne & Mimi
Hungarian Dance # 5 (Brahms) Jeanne & Mimi
Marriage of Figaro Overture (Mozart) Jeanne & Mimi

---

Afterwards Jeanne regularly performed
with her sister Karen who was 3 years younger

This is their performance at the Ohio State Fair
Show Stoppers 1982

 

Battelle Music Club (October 19, 1981)
Jeanne & Karen

Mozart Goes Boogie - Karen
Impromptu in A Flat (Schubert) Jeanne

Duets
The Entertainer (Joplin)
Can Can (Offenbach) (page turn error by MOM)
Waltzes (Strauss)
Boogie for 2 (Martin)
End of Grieg Nocturne (Encore) Jeanne

 

Rhapsody Unit Program (Spring 1982)
Jeanne & Karen

LONG introduction - & background by MOM - funny
Jeanne with Mrs Wasson - Karen with Mrs Chu

PROGRAM
French Suite (Gavotte & Sarabande) (Bach) Jeanne
Sonata Opus 49 #2 (Beethoven) Karen
Cute intro by Jeannie
Cadenza Concerto # 20 in d Minor (Mozart) Jeanne
Arabesque # 1 (Debussy) Jeanne
Fantasie Impromptu (Chopin) Jeanne

Boogie for 2 (Martin) Jeanne & Karen

A Capella Unit Program (April 1982)

Sonata Opus 49 #2( Beethoven) Karen
Arabesque I (Debussy) Jeanne
Cadenza of Concerto in d Minor (Mozart) Jeanne

Jeanne (Flute) Karen (Piano)
1st of 3 original pieces for Flute (DeLiebs)

Duets - Jeanne & Karen
Hungarian Dance #5 (Brahams) & Boogie for 2 (Martin)

 

Staccato Unit Program (May 1982)

Prelude # 8 (Bach) Karen
Sonata Opus 49 # 2 (Beethoven) Karen
Sonatina Mvt 1 (Muczynski) Jeanne
Arabesque I (Debussy) Jeanne

Jeanne (Flute) Karen (Piano)
1st of 3 original pieces for Flute (DeLiebs)
Pan (Don Juan)
Duets - Jeanne & Karen
Hungarian Dance #5 (Brahams) & Boogie for 2 (Martin)

Linden Womens' Club - May 10, 1982

Sonata Opus 49 #2 (Beethoven) Karen
Sonata Mvt 1 (Muczynski) Jeanne
Arabesque I (Debussy) Jeanne
Cadenza from d Minor Concerto (Mozart) Jeanne

Flute & Piano (recording is very quiet)
1st of 3 Original Pieces for Flute (DeLieb) Jeanne & Karen
Pan - (Don Juan) Jeanne & Karen

Duets (recording is very quiet) Jeanne & Karen
Hungarian Dance #5 (Brahams)
Boogie for 2 (Martin)

In the Summer of 1982 Mrs Chu suggested that
Karen study with Mrs Wasson also

We were already driving the 80 miles to Dayton
every Saturday for Jeanne's lesson

Each had a lesson with Mrs Wasson while the other
was in a group theory/repertoire class

This activity took most of the day

Karen had to balance Music with Sports
Especially UA Golden Bears swim team
and weekend swim meets

Chu Recital - May 18, 1982
Bumble Boogie - Karen

Wasson Recital - Sept 26, 1982
Contra Dance (Schubert) Karen
Scherzo (Schubert) Karen
Sonata (Haydn) Jeanne

Wasson Recital - November 1982
Sonata in G Major (Haydn) Karen
Prelude in D (Bach) Jeanne
Sonata in c minor (Beethoven) Jeanne

Riverside Methodist Performance - 10/1/82
(In my Opinion - One of the best programs they ever did)

Complete Program
Impossible Dream Duet - Jeanne & Karen
Scherzo (Schubert) Karen
Prelude # 21 (Bach) Jeanne
Sonata (Haydn) Jeanne
Firefly (Bilotti) Karen
Flute Concerto - Andante (Mozart) Jeanne & Karen?
Waltz in A Flat (?) Jeanne
Hungarian Dance # 5 Duet (Brahams) Jeanne & Karen
Tomorrow (from Annie) (Vocal & Piano) Jeanne & Karen

November 1982 - Battelle Music Club Rehearsal
2 adult voices on tape besides Mom -
directions & comments "how beautiful"
Program
Impossible Dream duet
Sonata (Haydn) Jeanne
Firefly (Beloti) Karen
Tuning flute
Concerto in D for Flute (Mozart) Jeanne & Karen
Concerto for Bass (Capuzzi) Jeanne & Karen
" Now you give your little speech"
Tomorrow (from Annie) twice

November 1982 - Battelle Music Club Performance
Introduction by Pat White
Program
Hungarian Dance #5 Duet (Brahams)
Sonata in c minor (Haydn) Jeanne
Firefly (Beloti) Karen
Concerto in D for Flute (Mozart) Jeanne & Karen
Nice interaction with audience while getting bass out
Concerto for Bass (Capuzzi) Jeanne & Karen
Tomorrow (from Annie)

December 1982 - Columbus Country Club
"Columbus Symphony Banquet"
This program because of Jeanne's 3 first place wins

Gardens in the Rain (Debussy) Jeanne
Concerto in D for Flute 2nd Mvt (Mozart) - Jeanne & Karen
Concerto for Bass Capuzzi - Jeanne & Karen
Led Audience in Singing "God Bless America"

Thank you Jeanne Backofen
accompanied by her sister Karen who is 10 years old

The article at left appeared in the Columbus Dispatch
as an editorial on Easter Sunday 1982

OMTA Recital - February 6, 1983 - Jeanne

Piece #1 Need ID
Piece #2 Need ID (Bach)

Upper Arlington Municipal Bldg
Performance - March 9, 1983
Some Familiar Piece - Need ID (?)Jeanne

Gardens in the Rain (Debussy) Jeanne

Wasson Recital - February 28, 1983

Karen performs 3 pieces
Fountains in the Rain
HobbyHorse
Waltz in d Minor Chopin

Jeanne
Sonata in c minor Op 10 # 1 3rd Mvt (Beethoven)

Vivace Unit of Columbus Symphony - Feb 23, 1983

Impossible Dream (Duet) Jeanne & Karen
Fountains in the Rain Karen
Prelude & Fugue in D (Bach) Jeanne
Waltz in d Minor (Chopin) Karen
Sonata in c Minor 3rd Mvt (Beethoven) Jeanne
HobbyHorse ? Karen
Make Me Drunken..Torrents of Joy (Persichetti) Jeanne
Carnival of Venice - (Flute & Piano) Jeanne & Karen
Tomorrow (from Annie) Jeanne & Karen

Arlington Unit of Columbus Symphony Feb 27, 1983

Impossible Dream (Duet) Jeanne & Karen
Prelude & Fugue in D (Bach) Jeanne
" Two Modern Pieces" Karen
Fountains in the Rain
HobbyHorse ?
Sonata in c Minor (Beethoven) Jeanne
Make Me Drunken..Torrents of Joy (Persichetti) Jeanne
Carnival of Venice -Flute & Piano ? Jeanne & Karen
Hungarian Dance #5 Duet (Brahms) Jeanne & Karen
Tomorrow (from Annie) Jeanne & Karen

Bexley Unit - March 25, 1983
Prelude & Fugue in D (Bach) Jeanne
Variations on an Original Theme (Beethoven) Karen
Carnival of Venice -Flute & Piano Jeanne & Karen
Waltz in d Minor or maybe A Flat? (Chopin) Karen** check title
Ballade (Brahms) Jeanne
HobbyHorse Karen
Gardens in the Rain (Debussy) Jeanne
Tomorrow (from Annie) Jeanne & Karen

"Buckeye" Performance - March 19, 1983

Variations on an Original Theme (Beethoven) Karen
Waltz in d Minor or maybe A Flat Karen
HobbyHorse - Karen

Prelude & Fugue in D Jeanne
Sonata in c Minor (Haydn) Jeanne
Gardens in the Rain (Debussy) Jeanne

Wasson Recital June 1983
I recorded the entire hour recital and side one cut off just before
the end of Jeanne's performance

This is my attempt to merge the 2 files as I flipped the tape over
At least I included all the applause

Jeanne "Gardens in the Rain"

Karen "HobbyHorse"
Another familiar piece

Summer 1983

We moved to Northern Virginia

Both Jeanne & Karen began piano study

with Suzanne Guy