The morning proceeded with three string classes, the Double Bass Under 12, Double Bass Under 14, and a hugely represented Violin Under 9 - it's always great to see so many young string players getting up and having a good old go at music! Elizabeth has mentioned it several times, the life skills that can be learned from doing music, and this is so very true! In particular the ability to be in the moment, and also pick yourself up and keep going when things perhaps don't go your way. I also love how, even at a young age you can begin to hear the personal styles of each performer. This is particularly true in the Under 9 Violin, as with this class more than any other you will often hear the same piece twice, maybe even more than that! What this gives for the audience is a little insight into each performers mind, and how each one interprets the same page of music - it really is fascinating! Congratulations to class winners Alexandra Dorey (Double Bass Under 12 AND Under 14), and Jessica Penney (Under 9 Violin)
The afternoon session started, like the morning, with yet more wonderful singing, with the Vocal Duet 15 & Under 18. Only two duos competing in this class, but two fabulous performances, which were Louise Madden & Rosie Home performing 'Panic Angelicus', and sisters Luella & Morgan Taylor performing the ever moving 'What a Wonderful World'. What was evident with both of these performances was the unity, how each duo was able to be so in sync with each other. A tough one to call, but the winners on this occasion were Louise and Rosie. Well done girls!
- Following on from the duos, we had another duet of sorts, but this time with each performer duetting with themselves in a way, in the Vocal Self-Accompanied Under 18. Quite a few performers accompany themselves, and it really is a massive skill to be able to sing and play at the same time. The ability to keep calm under pressure, especially when you feel you might be weaker on one skill than the other, is another really valuable life skill. Elizabeth mentioned that confidence in performing can only be gained in actually performing, and how very true that is! If you ever want to improve at something, sometimes you have to brush past the fear and put yourself out there in order to take yourself further. There was some wonderful singing in this class, in particular I felt that Ivy Paris Smith showed some great vocal potential, and I really admire Elisha Horsepool for performing her own song - it's a very courageous step to perform your own composition anywhere, so well done Elisha for allowing us to hear this lovely song (you can hear it on Elisha's Youtube). There was also some wonderfully emotive performances from both Rachel Dawson and Imogen Haymen. It was Rachel Dawson's beautiful performance of 'True Colours' by Cyndi Lauper, which just had the audience enthralled (and I'm not too proud to admit, I shed a little tear it was so moving!) - a well deserved Outstanding performance, well done Rachel - what am amazing Eisteddfod you're having this year!
The final class of the afternoon, the Songs from the Shows Under 12. What was really wonderful about this afternoon session was actually the atmosphere of support, both backstage, and from the audience. If there's one thing music needs, it's support from everyone who loves it! The range of talent in this class was so amazing, and what was also really evident of this class was the huge amount of preparation involved from everyone, which again, just highlights how vital support is for these young performers. Some wonderful performances in this class, with my personal favourites including Zaheer Anees 'I Just Can't Wait to to be King', and Poppy Cochrane, Martha Falla & Freya Tardif performing 'Triplets' from Band Wagon. Elizabeth spoke to the young performers about how finding a character really helps in dealing with nerves, and how she heard a famous actor once stay that "when I'm on stage I'm never myself" - so many performers do this (Beyonce springs to mind), and not just Musical Theatre actors, so if you are nervous performer, perhaps consider creating a 'performance persona' for yourself. Elizabeth also stated that what she was looking for in this class was excellent characterisation with a safe vocal sound, clear diction, and especially tight diction within ensemble singing. A wonderful afternoon of Musical Theatre, which was won by a rather surprised Yvie Coyde for her performance of 'Quiet' from Matilda - Yvie was praised for her amazing contrast of energy and stillness, clear projection and diction. Bravo Yvie, it was wonderful!
- Elizabeth closed out her adjudication of this class with a wonderful quote: "If young people can hold an audience like you did today, then your futures are really, really bright." - What absolute truth in that statement! Watch out Guernsey, there's talent a-brewing!
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| Bit of backstage banter for the Songs from the Shows Over 18s! |
Scene Under 18, and the Songs from the Shows Over 18. What an amazing evening of entertainment we had from these two classes. The kids from GATE presented a musical scene from Aladdin, which was an all-singing, all-dancing and all-acting extravaganza, which was brilliantly presented - there was even a genie painted blue (I'm pretty sure he might be regretting that today!) - Unsurprisingly, these fabulous kids won themselves the class with an Outstanding.
- The final class, Songs from the Shows Over 18, even with the inevitable drop-outs still had over 20 performers to entertain the masses, and boy did they deliver! The variety was also incredible, with everything from the the legit classics like 'On the Street where you Live' (My Fair Lady), through the powerhouse belter 'Defying Gravity' (Wicked) right up to present day musicals such as Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton - I like to think this class really does give the audience a chance to hear new music and think, 'Hmm, I should go see the full show!'. Once again, Guernsey showed their true supportive colours when a competitor lost their place in their song and forgot the words - audience to the rescue to sing with them to the end with a rousing applause at the end, bravo audience members, you did good! Elizabeth had a tough choice on her hands with which performance would place 1st, and she was clear that what she was looking for was entertain performance, whether that be in an emotional or comical capacity, whilst still upholding an excellent musical and vocal performance. My personal favourite performances included Scott Michel's 'Heaven on their Minds' from Jesus Christ Superstar. Scott is very new to Musical Theatre singing, and is most at home behind a bass performing in heavy rock bands, but I thought he delivered such precise diction and the right level of angst and frustration in this song (without getting too swept away by it all), so bravo Scott! I also thought Natalie Wrigley gave a wonderful performance, and I'm so pleased to see Natalie doing more singing, especially solo! Keep at it Nat! I also found myself in hysterics listening to Haley Camps performance of 'Screw Loose' from Cry Baby - literally, I was a crying baby with laughter! A really tough choice, and the standard was clearly high, which all those that placed with Outstanding marks; I myself placed equal 2nd, along with Laura Simpson for our emotional performances of 'My Brother Lived in San Francisco' and 'Me and the Sky' respectively, with a mark of 92 (I mean, coming 2nd with 92!! That's some crazy high marking!) The winner was chosen as Julie Tostevin won for her ever effortless comical performance of 'One Hundred Easy Ways' from Wonderful Town, with an insane mark of 93! Well done Jooles!
One thing which is ever apparent, especially within these musical theatre classes is the true power of music - I'll leave with a quote from our adjudicator, which I feel really represents just what music can do for you;
"Music is one of the best art forms for building, identifying and releasing emotions, and will get your through anything life throws at you."
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