The newly-inaugurated music competition was held in the school hall on the 1st of May in front of a capacity audience of parents and students. It is many years since there was any form of musical competition in the school and this was possibly the first time that a straight competition was held. It was decided that competitors would be grouped according to level rather than form or age, thus there were three classes: class one for beginners to grade 2 (Associated Board), class two for grades 3 - 4 and an Open class for grade 5 onwards. In addition there was a duos class for performances by any two students in any combination. 

There were twenty-eight performances in all. The evening began with the duos and there were some great performances by pupils of all ages. The winners were Jenni Plumb and Christina Stead with 'I know him so well' from the musical 'Chess.' 

Six pupils entered for class one and there was a good cross section of instruments and music. In first place was Océane Herpin-Saunier who gave an exquisite performance of 'For a moment of stillness' on the violin. Runner up was Libby Urquhart-Ducharme with 'Creepy Crawly for piano.

Things began to hot up with class two, in which nine pupils performed. Nicholas Hippenmeyer won first place with a lively performance of "Maple Leaf Rag" on piano and the runner up was Steven Thomas who gave a gentle account of Bach's Prelude No 1 in C major. 

By the time we came to the Open Class, the atmosphere was humming . These performance had us on the edges of our seats - the standard was so high. In first place was Alina Arie who played 'Nocturne No 4 from Lyric Pieces' on the piano. It was a lovely controlled rendering. In second place with "Chopin's Nocturne in E flat" was Midori Kurokawa. Each of the winners received an engraved goblet and the new St. George's School Music Competition Trophy for the best overall performance was won by Alina. Each competitor will receive a certificate later in the term.

The competition was judged by Nicola Rainger who came over from York in England specially to undertake this difficult and fearsome task! She managed to say a word or two about each performance which were well received by performers and audience. Special thanks go to Nicola for making the evening such a success and congratulations to all performers who did so well.