EAGLE RIVER -- Robert and Michael Doerr, sons of Bill and Tina Doerr of Eagle River, Wis., will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in March 2010 to compete as National Finalists in the MTNA Senior Duet Competition.  They will perform Schubert's Fantasy in F Minor and Ravel's Rhapsodie Espagnole, IV, Feria.

          Robert, a homeschooled senior, and Michael, a homeschooled sophomore, have been studying piano for over 11 years and currently are students of Bette Close at the Wausau Conservatory of Music.  Also, both students have been receiving piano coaching from Dr. Raffi Besalyan at UW-Stevens Point. 

         The Doerr brothers have received Winners Awards from the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA) at Badger Keyboard Competitions throughout their years of competing as soloists.  Robert Doerr won third place in the 2009 Fox Valley Symphony Young Artist Festival Concerto Competition playing Gershwin's Concerto No. 1 while accompanied by Michael on a second piano.  Both have won performance and merit scholarships at the Wausau Conservatory.  The Doerrs have performed in numerous recitals and concerts at schools and assisted living and nursing homes.

             The three-tiered MTNA competitions begin at the state level.  The national duet winners receive a cash prize and will perform in a Winners Concert during the 2010 MTNA National Conference at the Grand Pavilion Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque the weekend of March 20-21. 

             Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of 24,000 independent and collegiate music teachers committed to advancing the value of music study and music making to society and to supporting the professionalism of music teachers.  Founded in 1876, MTNA is the oldest professional music association in the United States.