"If you don't breathe, you fall over!"

The second day of the Guernsey Eisteddfod Music Section, and we're starting to all settle into this years festival. Our adjudicator, Steven Robert, has already set us up with what he's looking for from the performers, and he's proving to be a super friendly and approachable person as well, which is always lovely to see.

We started off the morning with the Guernsey Music Centre Boys Choir performing in the Under 14 Male Voice Choirs Class, presenting two fabulous and fun pieces, ‘Pirates’ by Lin Marsh, and ‘The Hippopotamus’ by Flanders & Swan, complete with hand puppets! A suitable bright and energetic way to get the morning session going, the boys sang really well, and won their class with a well deserved Highly Commended. What was also lovely to see from this class was just how great Steven Roberts is with the children. He makes a real effort as an adjudicator to engage them and help make everyone feel at ease - I love that! Next we had two piano classes, the Under 8s and the Under 9s. Lots of really promising playing happening here in these two classes, and a lovely range of pieces. The classes were won by Ayrton Joffre (Under 8), and William Kennedy (Under 9), both with a Highly Commended. I must say, I thought that William in particular performed his piece, ‘Minuet in G’ by Bach, absolutely beautifully, and I was surprised he didn’t score higher. Following the pianists we had two woodwind classes, the Orchestral Woodwind Duos, Trios and Quartets (Junior School Age), and the Recorder Groups Under 18s. Both classes featured Melrose school; the Melrose Flute Quartet and the Melrose Recorder Group. A lovely selection of repertoire for these performances from both groups, with each group winning their class with Highly Commended. 

We rounded off the first half of the morning with two vocal classes; the Vocal Boys Under 10, and the Vocal Girls 10 and Under 12. It was clear that there are some beautiful voices developing here. I thought in particular that Evie Patterson showcased a gorgeous vocal tone, and a lovely positive performance energy - one to watch I think. Steven’s main critique for this class was for all the singers to work on their breath management. It’s tricky at this age, and I’m aware, as a voice teacher, that breathing tends to get a little erratic for students during this time of development. I like Steven’s phrase he uses to help the singers, “take good breaths”. Too often you’ll hear people say “take a big breath”, but the truth is, that doesn’t really work! All you end up doing is creating tension in your body as you try to fill it with as much air as possible. So, take a GOOD breath instead; relax, imagine the breath going low into your body, and then support the sound from the floor upwards - you’ll be surprised how this suddenly makes your sound easier, and calms your nerves! Breathing is a hugely important thing for all musicians, it’s kind of the powerhouse of the performer, and to quote Steven directly, “If you don’t breathe, you fall over”… and no-one wants that! A lovely set of classes with promising young singers, which overall were won by Jack Manheim in the Under 10 Boys, and Eleanor Hopkins in the 10 and Under 12 Girls. 

The final class of the morning was the well represented Under 11 Violins, with 17 young violinists! A huge variety of styles and stages of development in this class, it really is a testament to the quality of the teaching of young violinists that every performer is able to showcase their ability so well. Steven had some lovely positive comments for each individual performer, as well as providing some general critique that he felt would benefit everyone. In a festival like this, I feel it's important for each performer to listen to the critiques given to others - just because you think it doesn't apply to you in that moment doesn't mean it won't in the future! There's plenty to learn if you listen for it. To that end, I quite liked his approach of giving this generalised feedback to all of the performers, as it meant that they all took away things they should all consider for the next performance. Some great performances in this class; I'd like to make special mention of Mia Guilbert, who I thought maintained a wonderful presence throughout her piece (including a smile), and overall class winner Matilda Cole who played 'Invitation to the Dance' with a style and, I thought, a sense of maturity. A well deserved win with Highly Commended. Well done everyone in this class! 

The afternoon session started with, so far, the highlight of the festival; the Violin Under 14. Some truly superb performance in this class, not least a truly stellar performance from Joseph Stoller, who gave us 'Praeludium and Allegro" by Kreisler. The delivery of this from such a young musician was truly something beautiful to behold, and I don't think I ever remember accompanist Mervyn Grand having to work so hard to keep up with a student! An exceptional performance and in control from start to finish, he quite rightly was awarded the first Outstanding of the festival, and the trophy to boot. Coming in 2nd was Sam Cole (Distinction), and a rather surprised Maisie Belford in 3rd! Well done everyone, a brilliant class. Continuing the session we had three vocalists across two classes; Louise Madden in the Vocal Girls 15-18, and Sebastian Hazzan and Reuben Esterhuizen in the Boys 15-18, which this year, I'm pleased to say, finally saw a trophy to compete for! Incidentally, many of the classes are still without a trophy (or share a trophy with similar class), and it would be really wonderful to make sure each class had it's own prize to compete for. All the class trophies are by donation, so if you want to contribute to the festival, you can find out what's available on by clicking on here on donations - but I digress! These singers gave lovely performances; Louise showed a lovely legato line and great control over her upper registers in 'Ships of Arcady', Sebastian demonstrated some a strong control of dynamics, and Reuben had a really promising tone with lovely classical italian vowels, earning him the inaugural win of the class trophy.

To round of the rest of the afternoon, we had four instrumental classes: the Instrumental Solo for Beginners, the Chamber Music duos, trios and quartets (Secondary School Age), and the Brass Solo Classes for Under 14, and Under 16. In particular, I was pleased to see the Instrumental Solo Beginners class with competitors in this year. Sometimes, we get treated so well at our Eisteddfod, with such amazing music being produced by our performers from a young age, that we forget that some people come to their instrument a little later than others, and are perhaps a little intimidated to perform against their peers who have had more time to develop their craft. This class gives a little bit of a safer space to try performing on their instrument as a soloist for the first time, which I love to see. A really nice class of music, with Caitlin Le Blancq taking home the Teaachers Association Trophy with a Highly Commended. Next we had the Chamber Music class for Junior ages, featuring all string players; the Elizabeth College Junior Strings, and two sibling duos in Matilda & Sam Cole, and Ollie & Archie Purdue. As someone who's done a lot of performing alongside my mother, I can tell you, forming a partnership with a family member can be both rewarding, and tricky! But these youngsters seem to be handling it very well. Some lovely teamwork being presented in all these chamber groups, and I hope they all continue to play together and build these musical partnerships. The Elizabeth College Strings won this class, with Highly Commended. Finishing off the afternoon were the Brass Solos Under 14, and Under 16, which were won by Joe Andrijasavic (playing 'Raiders of the lost Arc' by John Williams), and Benjamin Tasker (playing 'Trumpet Concerto 2nd Mvt' by Haydn) respectively, both with Highly Commended.

Opening up the evening class we had the Piano Sonata Over 18s, featuring Bob Perkins and Marilyn Pugh. Detouring from the critiques for a moment, Steven Robert took a moment to discuss with the competitors why they enter the eisteddfod, and what they get out of it. Marilyn (my mother) stated that it's a chance to actually perform, and in a class like the Piano Sonata, perform as a soloist, which as a pianist doesn't happen that much; you tend to end up always accompanying other people! Steven praised the competitors for still putting themselves forward as solo performers, and awarded the class to Bob Perkins with 86 marks. The session continued with the Old Familiar Class Over 18s, and the Open Piano Duet, which was won by Joy Liggett, and Hannah Bourgaize & Martin Hassall receptively. Closing out the first half of the evening was the Gilbert and Sullivan Class - I do think it is a shame that this class doesn't have more competitors year after year. Gilbert & Sullivan were essentially the fathers of modern musicals, and as our adjudicator stated, their ability to write interesting characters, each with their own vocal line and then stick a full chorus in the background is second to none. I would love to see some of the drama schools over here actually have a go at putting on a Gilbert and Sullivan show, or even just do a Musical Scene for the G&S Class at the Eisteddfod. I think it might open some of the young performers mind a little bit to just how diverse musical theatre can be, teach them another style of singing to add to their portfolios, and perhaps give those that are not naturally contemporary in their vocal style a chance to shine! Something to think about. What was quite apparent however was that the Cheshire Cats Chorus, the only competitor in this class, really DO have a passion for Gilbert and Sullivan. As stated by the MD, Marilyn Pugh, before the piece started, the Cheshire Cats Chorus put on a Gilbert & Sullivan every two years with all proceeds going towards the Cheshire Home. Last years was the Mikado, for which they presented the Finale of Act 1 in the class this evening. Steven praised the soloists for committed delivery, clear diction and character, praised the chorus for the authentic G&S ensemble sound, and Marilyn Pugh for her sympathetic accompaniment, earning them a Distinction mark of 88. (Incidentally, the next G&S will be summer 2020, and it's 'Pirates of Penzance'.... if you fancy giving it a go!)

50 years out of the loop, and back winning trophies - well done Pierre!
Winner of the Baritone Solo Over 18

After the interval, we concluded the evening with the Over 18 Vocal Solos, for Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Baritone, Bass - sadly there was no Tenor class this year. A wide variety of repertoire presented in these five classes, run consecutively, which treated the small but appreciative audience to a wonderful little concert of classical music. Three performances which stood out for me. Jo Marsh's presentation of 'A Blackbird Singing', in which she gave a pure and effortless sound (especially on those top A flats!) Joy Liggett's performance of of 'Twilight Fancies' - Joy is very much impressing my this year; I think her voice has really opened out and relaxed, which is enabling her to really sell each song she has chosen. Pierre Herve, in his first solo singing performance in fifty years, got back onstage tonight and delivered a solid and heartwarming performance of 'Mademoiselle de Paris', and delightfully won his class with 85 Marks. Due to a change in the rules, singers are now allowed to perform with copies should they feel they need to. I think this is a great move by the Eisteddfod committee, as it takes the pressure off the need to memorise lyrics (which for some singers can be just too much stress!), and as Pierre showed, it doesn't take away your ability to win the class! I, as a teacher, always encourage my students to learn songs by heart, for the simple reason that a lot of the true performance work comes when you know a piece well, and when you're reading from music, you don't really know it. That said, choirs are allowed to sing with copies, so why shouldn't soloists? I hope this new rule will encourage more singers to give it a go. The winners of each class were; Jo Marsh (Soprano), Fiona Malley (Mezzo-Soprano), Joy Liggett (Contralto), Pierre Herve (Baritone), and Simon Howitt (Bass).

A fully loaded day of music, and there's no sign of letting up over the weekend. Not much chance for a breather for our adjudicator Steven - hopefully he'll find time to take his own advice, and make sure to take time to breathe... we don't want him falling over!