Good Music shines through any Genre

Well, the weather's been pretty gloomy, but the Eisteddfod has not been!

Adjudicating the first classes of the day (the U13 and U18 Harp), Ian made a comment about how 'I wish more people were here to hear this' - and I agree. I'm not sure a lot of people understand the Harp outside of wedding receptions, but Marie-Claire Benoist is a musical talent with immense style, grace and technical wizardry, and was quite rightly awarded the first Outstanding (90+) mark of the festival. When justifying it (not that he needed to) he said that he asked himself, "would I pay good money to see that?.... Yes I would!" - And yes, Marie-Claire's performance of 'Nataliana' was stunningly beautiful and to a professional standard - Well done Marie-Claire!
- The rest of the morning was a lovely smattering of vocal solos and piano solos. I'd like to mention Jack Colley (winner of the U18 Piano Solo with a Distinction), a clear up-and-coming young concert pianist. When I watch Jack, I'm reminded of the likes of Sebastian Grand and Tom Hicks, and I predict great things for him in the future.

I think we really have to take a moment here and realise just how incredible the talent is here in Guernsey. I know we say it every year, and every adjudicator says how talented us Donkeys are, but I don't know if it's actually sunk in yet. Just think about it for a minute.... Every year they say this... EVERY YEAR! Surely that's a testament to a) how much talent there is, and b) how amazing the teaching is. And I dare to dream what the results would be with a proper theatre and a well-maintained piano (*hint hint.... - I do feel sorry for the 'Beast', AKA the Bluthener, because it only gets played for 10 days out of 365)

The afternoon kicked off with a somewhat unusual class: not for the content, but rather for the instrumentation - The Bach Instrumental Solo 16 and Over is a fantastic class for a young musician to enter, what with Bach being the mach-daddy of all things technical and harmonic (seriously, if you want to be a great musician, whether it's classical, jazz or even heavy metal, listen and learn some Bach!). What made this interesting was the fact that Elizabeth played the Marimba, and Benjamin was on the Bass guitar. Brilliant! If Bach was around today I think he would have loved it! - My congratulations go to Elizabeth for her win in this class. As a percussionist myself (and the sibling of a bass guitarist) I feel a bit of empathy and pride for a fellow percussionist overcoming a bassist! - Seriously amazing class though, bravo to both of you.
- And after some lovely vocal trios/quartets we were into the first of the incredibly popular classes: Songs from the Shows 12 & U15. Well, I can't fault the kids on their enthusiasm and commitment to each and every song. The costumes were amazing and in some cases hilarious, the confidence on stage brilliant, and yet another Outstanding mark for the winner.

 (Elliot Hearne in his 'crazy-french-chef' outfit for the 
Songs from the Shows 12 & U15)

..... I do feel I want to have a niggle about this class though. Not about the performance or anything like that, but backstage etiquette. I understand enthusiasm and the excitement that comes with this type of class, but I lost count of the amount of times I had to tell kids to keep their voices down and stop slamming doors (and walking in and out of dressing rooms hundreds of times. Honestly, it was like watching a moth bump into a light bulb) - I don't think it takes much to instill the concept of respect for the person on stage, and in fact the audience into the young performers (parents and teachers, I'm talking to you here). The theatre walls and door are (sadly) not that sound proof. Keep your voices down and stop wasting your energy in the dressing rooms - Save it for the stage!
- And while we're at it, clear up after yourselves please! I walked into dressing room 4 with my choir members to rehearse before the evening session, and found the room in a state of makeup, malted  costumes and rubbish. Just not acceptable really.

Anyway, enough ranting, back to the music. Saturday evenings session started with a bit of a jolt for the audience, learning they were going to get the Folk Song Choirs class as a two-parter (Accidentals at 7.30, Johnny's Angel's to conclude at 9pm), but it was a lovely start to the night. The night had this strange feel of Jazz VS Folk genres about it, which I found as a participant (4 times I might add) really taxing, so how the audience received it I'm not entirely sure. But saying that, it was a fantastic night of entertainment. The Vocal Jazz class was a particular highlight of mine, and not just because I was in it (or was lucky enough to win it), but I loved the variety of it. We had singers who covered swing, blues, soulful ballad, country and the obscure in 20 minutes, and I really want to mention the amazing accompanists that appeared in this class, in particular Chris Taylor. I've had the great joy of working with Chris over the last couple of years, and he's a fantastic musician (and too modest for his own good) so I was very pleased that Kenneth highlighted him as a fantastic player.
- Another fantastic Jazz player worth mentioning is John Morris, who not only wowed us with his pianistic virtuosity, but also his brilliant mind in the Sight-reading class (yes, you read that right, sight-reading - John is actually mad enough to get up in-front of a paying audience and a judge and play something he's never seen before. The sheer bravery deserves praise from the off!)

(Myself and Chris Taylor after I won the Vocal Jazz/Blues/Swing O18 Class 

with our version of "That's Life")

I think what this evening showcased most to the audience was how difficult the Folk genre is to judge. Across the board in the classes this evening (Folk Choirs, Folk Groups, Folk Solo Over 18's), it was a really mish-mash of opinions as to who the audience liked and whether they agreed with the adjudicator's decision. But then, that's what folk should be. These songs are classics that in some cases have been around for centuries, and have been sung hundred of ways. Therefore anybody could win this class. It all comes back to what Ian said at the beginning of the week - "Commit to Communicate". Never was this more true than of the folk song. If you commit to the story, ok maybe your technique isn't perfect, but if you tell the story with utter conviction; physically, emotionally and whole-heartedly you'll shine through. My critical praise from this class, as much as I liked the winner actually goes to Lucy Cave. I thought her song 'The Lass from the Low Countree' was utterly stunning, and her high-notes were just eerily beautiful.
I do want to mention a few others from this class for other reasons.....
- Firstly, I want to point out Bob Galsworthy, who was a complete newbie to the Guernsey Eisteddfod until the Folk Song U18's class, but came out with a cracking rendition of 'I've got a brand new Combine Havester' by the Worzels which had the audience giggling and clapping along from the start. If you can find the time to rehearse with a live musician Bob, I think you'll start to excel at this genre. Brilliant! 
- And my other mention goes to Lindsey Veillard. You, my dear, are one of the Guernsey Eisteddfod's grand institutions: The performer who comes back year after year and entertains everyone, both in sheer determination and sometimes utter silliness. I've been moved to tears by your performances, through drama AND comedy, and I dread to think of an Eisteddfod without you.

All in all, a great evenings entertainment. Perhaps in adjudicatory terms the most 'mixed-bag' in terms of opinions, but you can't deny that we do love a bit of good music, eh?