Music Competition ° Summer Term News 2004

This year, the Music Competition was held over two evenings, the first being for Class One entrants (Beginner to Grade 2) and Duos. There were seven entrants for the former covering voice, piano, flute, violin, keyboard and saxophone - a wide range of instruments. The standard of playing was very high, the result of hours of preparation and everyone deserved a prize.

However, in first place was Brita Midness (violin) with a lovely performance of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". In second place was Patrick Scully on trombone whose spirited account of "Circus Clowns" had our feet tapping.

There were three Duo entries and in first place were Sara Al Tunisi and Patrick Scully who sang "All I Ask of You" from the Phantom of the Opera.

The second evening was for Class Two (Grades 3/4) and Open Class (Grade 5 upwards). There were eight performers in Class Two. In first place was Melanie Milsted (voice) with an atmospheric performance of "Castle on a Cloud". She was followed in second place by Adam Hutton (trumpet) playing Britten's New Year Carol.

The number of singers in the Open Class made it possible to have two sections: instrumentalists and singers. There were five singers so only an award of first place was made. This was given To Gonzalo Ceron who sang the lovely song from West Side Story - "One Hand, One Heart".

The Instrumentalists' section, dominated by pianists, was won by Sonja Riley who gave a very polished performance on the piano of a Fantasia by Mozart. In second place was Sophie Jardin (piano) who bravely overcame the problems of a false start to give a spirited performance of a Prelude by Schubert. The overall winner of the whole competition was Midori Kurokawa (piano) who played superbly a Nocturne by Chopin. She therefore receives the St. George's School Music Competition Trophy inaugurated last year.

We thank Mrs Marion Danby, our adjudicator, who gave words of encouragement and help to all performers. She also gave us a fantastic lunchtime concert at the end of the week when she demonstrated so well how the recorder and clarinet should really sound!

Here are a few snaps from the night ...