Starting off the morning we had the Infant Age Music Making class, which was represented by Acorn House; Year 2, who always produce something really fun and engaging with their music making, both for the children performing, and the audience watching. A delightful piece called 'Acorn Adventures' (which I believe they arranged themselves), which displayed lovely teamwork as well, which won them the class with a well-earned Distinction. Next up we had the Orchestra/Band/Ensemble for Junior School Age (3-11players). There's already been some great ensemble playing this festival, and this class only added to that, with some lovely playing from the Melrose String Ensemble, who also won their class with a Highly Commended. We followed the string ensemble with an assembly of strings, in the form of the Cello Under 9, and Under 11 classes. It was great to see these young cellists in action this morning, as they took to the stage to perform. There were some fab pieces as well, my favourite being 'Hungarian Stomp', performed by Wills Coleman (I remember playing it myself! Super fun!) The winners of the classes were Christina Edwards for the Under 9s (Highly Commended), and Analeigh Menhennitt for the Under 11s (Commended). Finishing off the first half of the morning, we had a fabulous piano class from the Under 12s, with a wide variety of repertoire choices for this age group, ranging from the traditionally classical ('Ballade' by Burgmuller), through ragtime ('Maple Leaf Rag' by Scott Joplin) to the more contemporary pop song ('Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen). This class was won by Sam Cole, who I thought showed a great command of Scott Joplin at this age - Ragtime is notoriously difficult, as well as tiring, and Sam showed amazing promise in his ability with this performance. A well deserved Highly Commended (although... I would have given him a Distinction.... just my opinion!)
After the interval, we were treated to what is always a magical class; the Choirs Special Needs for Junior School Age, featuring Le Rondin School Choir. This choir performed two pieces, 'Superhero' (an awesome song about Dogs), and 'Together', which I'm not ashamed to say brought a tear to my eye, as they sang with a beautiful focus and in two parts no less! As always there was some amazing playing/signing/singing/co-ordinating from Juanita Bryne from the piano, and lovely supportive conducting from Jo Marsh for the two-part song. For adjudication, Steven asked the children if he could sit on stage with them, speaking directly to them about their performance and everything that's gone into making it happen. The children were truly delighted when Steven revealed that they had won, and could therefore only use good words to describe their performance (a lovely little touch I though), and it was brilliant when they all rushed around him to receive the trophy, and held it aloft - amazing work Le Rondin! Following on, we had two vocal classes in the Vocal Boys and Girls Under 8 (although no boys, sadly), and the Vocal Girls Under 10. Two lovely little classes, which saw each performer receive a Highly Commended for some promising singing. I particularly enjoyed Chloe Thoumine's performance of 'Lucy Lavender', which I thought she delivered with clear diction, a lovely tone and very accurate pitch, winning her the Under 8s class. The winner of the Under 10s was Florence Glynn-Riley for her performance of 'The Owls' by Peter Jenkyns.
The final class of the morning, the Choirs; Part Singing for Junior School Age. Fielding four competitors (again - seems to be a popular number of choirs per class this year!), we had four wonderful performances from Melrose Canto, ECJS Senior Choir, Guernsey Music Centre Junior Choir, and Blanchelande College Junior Singers. I thought each choir delivered their parts songs with passion and energy. ECJS did well for tackling a three-part song, Blanchelande included a lovely duet in their second piece 'A Child's Prayer', and Music Centre provided some rhythmic and very well utilised percussion in their sassy piece 'Hot Chocolate'. A particular highlight for me was Melrose Canto's performance of 'Colours of the Wind', which I thought they delivered with real passion and sincerity, and I thought it had a powerful sound to it overall. A tough class with a really high standard, that saw everyone receive a Highly Commended, except for the winning choir, which was Music Centre Junior Choir, who won with a Distinction. Well done everyone! Truly super singing!
Starting off the afternoon, we had a the Violin Under 16, with three competitors; Jacob Wright, Sam Cole and Max Guilbert. A great little class for the start of the session, with the three lads providing us with some great material; Jacob played 'Sonata No. 5 in F Major, 1st Mvt (Spring)' by Beethoven, Sam Cole played 'Legende Op. 17' by Henri Wieniawski, and Max Guilbert played 'Bolero' by Carl Bohan. As he did in the morning session, Sam Cole showed a great sense of maturity in his playing, which earned him 1st place with a Distinction.
Next up, we had the Novelty Song Under 18s, featuring two competitors; Erin Vaudin performing 'The Alto's Lament' (a novelty classic if ever there was one), and Drew Robilliard and Reece Kilminster performing 'Ronnie's Marching Band'. Lots of great comedy coming across from both of these competitors. I thought Reece & Drew created the very essence of the two Ronnies, which suitably saw them winning the class with a Distinction. Closing out the afternoon, a mammoth of a class in the Songs from the Shows Under 12. A huge class of 24 entries which saw nearly twice as many performers due to this class including solos, duos, trios and quartets. That's a lot of young talent! A lovely selection of song repertoire for the age of voices, with everything from Disney, Classical Musical Theatre, and more modern contemporary choices. Personal favourite performances for me included; Zaheer Anees 'genie-us' peformance (as Steven called it) of 'Friend Like Me' from Aladdin, Stella Whitmore & Eliza Webster's cheeky performance of 'Mungojerry & Rumpleteazer' from Cats, and Sicely Mountford's sincere performance of 'Quiet' from Matilda - Everyone in the class really delivered their songs with passion and commitment. The winning performance of the class was Stella Whitmore & Eliza Webster, who won with a Distinction. Well done everyone involved in this class - fabulous work by all!
Our evenings entertainment started with the Piano Solo Amateur Over 18, and 'loosely' followed (I'm skipping ahead in the program a little) by the Piano Sight Reading Open. The 'Amateur' class, is essentially aimed at adult pianists who perhaps are late beginners, or play recreationally rather than as professional or even semi-professional, so it's a lovely class for inclusivity and encouraging those to give it a go. So, as an aside, if you're an adult who's currently learning the piano, or think your previous learning is a bit rusty, why not give it a go? In this class we had two performers; Jenna Sweelyn Kok Shun (who you may remember did her first every eisteddfod performance earlier in the week), and Alison Bourgaize. I thought both players performed really well, and I hope Jenna has enjoyed her performances this year and will look to come back next year. Alison Bourgaize won the class with a Highly Commended mark of 86 for her performance of 'Gnossiennes No. 3' by Erik Satie. The Sight-reading class is both technically demanding, and perhaps a little bit mad, as essentially the performer gets given the music at the start of the class. They then have approximately 30 seconds to a minute to study the music, before they perform the piece..... yes, that's right, it's absolutely batty! Not sure what that says about John Morris, but it's a class he seems to enjoy challenging himself with, as he comes back year after year to give it a go! Successful sight-reading requires several things; accurate interpretation of the score (pitch, rhythm, key, dynamics and articulations), and a performance flair (tempo, feel, and a little bit of your personality as the performer). John Morris approached this sight-reading with his usual flair, winning the class with a Highly Commended of 86 marks. Sadly there's no trophy for this class, which I think there really should be, as it's just the right side of crazy and impressive to deserve some sort of award!
'Next up' (I've gone out of order), we had two short classes, the Brass Solo Open featuring Kurt Carre on the French Horn performing 'Nessum Dorma', and the Vocal Duet Over 18 featuring Joy Liggett & Rosemary Ellis performing 'I Would That my Love'. 'Nessum Dorma' is not a song you would typically associate with the French Horn, but it really works quite well, perhaps because the timbre of the horn is quite similar to a vocal tenor (and, you know, loud!) Kurt performed very well, earning himself a Highly Commended mark of 86 and the trophy. Joy and Rosemary's performance in the vocal duet was perhaps a little tentative in the beginning, but they seemed to settle into it quite well, and were awarded another Highly Commended with 85 Marks. A little slip up with the certificates, as they were mistakenly awarded for 'Piano Sight Reading' - it's getting a little late in the week for everyone I think, but no worries as they were quickly corrected! Well done ladies.
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| Winner of the Under 18s Songs from the Shows; Reece Kilminster |
Another night, another fabulous day of entertainment drawn to a close, and just one to go. Stephen made comment in his adjudication of the last class, that the opportunity presented to all these young performers is really quite special, and that they need to embrace it with all they can. He also made a point to the supporters of the performers (and the eisteddfod in general), that it's important to let them know just how good they are. A great message I think, which I hope everyone listens to, but I will add to it - performers: you are good! SO good!..... but hard work and dedication will make you incredible - listen to those that build you up, and use their support and belief in you to make yourself the best you truly can be.
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