'So Much Talent Here'

The first Monday of the Eisteddfod tends has a little bit of a slowing down feel - not because the music is any less-than, not at all, but there isn't a morning session, and there tends to be less what I call 'power-house' classes this day (like musical theatre or pop) - however, I think this Monday bucked the trend somewhat.

We started the afternoon session with an unusual class for most to get their head round; the Quick Study Under 18. Essentially, the musicians who participate in this class are given the music at the weekend, and have approximately 48 hours to look at, practice, and polish the music they have been given. I did this class a few times back in the day, as a way of challenging myself, and always somehow enjoyed it! However, when I used to do this class, I was always up agains another pianist, and we were always about the same standard of playing, so we'd get given the same piece. This class proved to be really interesting, as we had two completely different instruments; Naomi Miller on flute, and Joseph Stoller on violin. Two good musicians here, who had clearly put the time in over their short rehearsal period to play their absolutely best. Naomi played very accurately, and with musicality, and Joseph played with real finesse, almost to the point where you wouldn't have realised he had only had the music for such a short time. He won the class with an Outstanding.

Next up, we had the Under 18s Pop Song, a personal favourite of mine at the Guernsey Eisteddfod. I love watching this class as popular music is my speciality (as is adolescent singing in fact), and I thought the standard was remarkably high - perhaps a lot higher than the marks reflected, as I thought there were several Outstanding performances here. So many magic moments in fact, that I feel the need to mention something about everyone! I thought Ivy Botzenhardt's almost liquid like voice was stunning; her ability to riff, as well as her vocal tone, is sensational. Elliott Hearne's stage craft was wonderful - Elliott is someone who is never afraid to just be himself on stage, which I think is always to his credit. Erin Vaudin showed a sense of style and full understanding of the pop genre, and Ellie Evan's high belt range is just flawless. Dominic Coyde shows real promise with his lovely Baritone tone (I'd love to hear him sing some Elvis or Jim Morrison!), and likewise I think Ivy Paris-Smith has a beautiful contralto range developing. Bella Lee and Samantha Paines both sang with a sense of sincerity and story telling, and Imogen Hayman drew us all in with a beautiful and powerful performance of 'The Power of Love'. Likewise, Emmelie Wright's emotional performance of Jessie J's 'Who you Are' was quite moving, and Oscar Armenta-Jeffreys delivered a stylish and rhythmic performance of 'Big Shot' worthy of Billy Joel himself. The winner for this class with a Distinction was Simone Ashplant for her performance of 'Listen'. I felt that Simone has really developed her voice over the last year; her higher notes are seemingly effortless, there's a lovely blend happening between her vocal registers, and she always delivers a song with emotional connection and understanding. Well done Simone, and everyone in this class, it was spectacular - as Nancy said, 'There is so much talent here', and it really shows.

Next up we had the Choirs, Secondary School Age Years 7-11, part 2! If you remember Alderney School Choir performed for this class on Saturday, so today we had the remaining competitors, consisting of The Ladies College Junior Motet Choir, and the Guernsey Music Centre Intermediate Choir. Two lovely choirs, with a nice choice of repertoire, however, I think there was perhaps some balance issues, or problems in hearing each other, especially for Music Centre - they didn't seem as settled on the stage as they usually do, but such is the life of the performer, somethings things don't go as you expect they will. Both these choirs received Commended for their performances, and it was announced that the winners of the class were in fact Alderney School Choir, who won with a Highly Commended. I'm so very pleased that they were able to come all the way over from the northern island (which is not actually all that easy, so much have taken tremendous preparation), and have been rewarded for their efforts. Congratulations Alderney on a stellar win, I look forward to seeing you again next year! Closing the afternoon we had Choirs, Secondary School Age (class 1203) - Two completely different groups here, performing to a remarkably high standard. Ladies College Senior Motet performed with, I thought, finesse and a lovely unified sound, and St Sampsons High, although perhaps a simpler programme, performed with real cohesion and a true sense of ensemble, making a beautiful choral sound - I also thought that they looked so happy to be performing, which makes a big impact. In the end, Nancy simply couldn't separate them, and so awarded them both equal 1st with Distinctions, stating that maybe they could split the trophy - I'd advise against that, maybe they could share it instead!

We started off the evening sessions with the Composition Under 18 - not as hugely contested as it has been in past, but composition is like that I find; there are waves of many creations, and then waves of nothing! The sole competitor, Sarah Raines delievered a composition for Ukulele and Voice. A lovely little pop song I thought here, and I thought Sarah shows a good understand as to how pop songs work, in structure and formula. I thought perhaps she could explore variety in the melodic line a little bit more, especially once it got to the end (as is typical of pop songs), and I agree with Nancy's comment that ending the piece on the dominant chord rather than resolving it to end on the tonic (the starting key) would have left it open ended, reflecting the question she posed in her lyrics for the final line. Good composition skills from this young lady, who earned a Highly Commended and the John Longmire Trophy. The Composition Over 18 was a remarkably high standard of class, with amazing compositions all round. Steve Ritcher's beautiful piece 'Birthmother' for SATB, piano, saxophone and percussion had somewhat Whitacre-esque harmony, with beautiful lyrical lines and idiomatic accompaniment, particularly from the sax. I definitely would love for The Accidentals to have a go at performing this (and I think I said the exact same think to Steve last year about his winning piece, so clearly we need to talk purchasing of scores Steve!) Elizabeth Beacom, who is currently studying a music college in Cardiff, produced two technically masterful compositions, one for Symphonic Winds, and one for Brass Ensemble. I thought in particular the piece for Symphonic Winds, entitled 'Journeys' has elements reminiscent of John Adams' 'Short Ride in a Fast Machine' (which Nancy herself would later mention in her critiques), and what I always hear in Elizabeth's writing a clear understanding of rhythmic texture and precision, which clearly comes from her background of being an excellent percussionist. Nancy described Elizabeth's work as "masterful writing and would grace the repertoire of any professional wind band”. My pieces in this class included 'Love is Enough', a male voice choir setting of William Morris' poem, and 'Winter', which is an SATB setting of a poem by Margaret Widdemer. Nancy said of my writing that it was "skilful and heart-warming", and she particularly liked the "delicious clashes" between voice and piano in 'Winter' (which I hope to get performed properly soon!). A really high standard of class, with each composer receiving Outstandings, and Elizabeth receiving a 95 for her piece 'Journeys'. An amazing class of new music being produced by local composers. 

Next up we had the Instrumental Jazz Open, with two performers; Cara Fitzpatrick on Saxophone, and Alexandra Dorey on Double Bass. A great class, with both musicians clearly understanding the jazz style. I thought Alexandra created a wonderfully mellow sound with her pizzacato bass playing, and Cara managed to find a huge variety of colours and dynamic contrast from her saxophone, and played with incredible control. Cara came away with the trophy, winning the class with a Distinction.
After the piano Piano Duet O18 class, in which Felicity Millard & Alison Bourgaize won with a Highly Commended mark of 85, we followed on with the Choirs; Madrigals O18, contested by States of Harmony. Again, it's clear that this choir have really developed their sound since last festival, and it's great to see them tackling challenging material like madrigals. I did think that perhaps their second piece, 'Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day' wasn't quite in the the true madrigal style, but this didn't detract from their performance. They earned themselves a Highly Commended mark of 86, and the trophy.

With possibly the best named group in the festival thus far, Seigneur Hedge Veg performed a delightful set in the Folk Groups Over 18 class. A nice band set up, with Dave Herschel on guitar and vocals, Emma Lancaster on vocals and violin (although, technically, I guess Emma's instrument is a Violin-Viola, as it has 5 strings!), and Andy Mason on harmonica,  which I absolutely love, I think Andy is great on the harmonica. Not only did this group perform with a great sense of ensemble, I'm told their music is entirely original, which for me is even more impressive. I did think (as Nancy would point out), that the balance was a bit off - I'm sure this group are used to performing with microphones for the vocalists, and without them, the harmonica in particular just had a tendency to swallow the vocals, being similar in pitch and timbre. That said, that didn't stop this group winning their class with 85 Marks (Highly Commended), and taking home the trophy. Next up, we had the Old Familiar O18. For those unsure what is meant by this class, the 'Old Familiar' needs to be a song from around the early 20th century, the kind of thing that would have been popular on the early days of the radio. This makes for a really lovely class, which was won by Lindsey Veillard, performing 'Love's Old Sweet Song' by Molloy, with an Outstanding mark of 92. Lindsey really is having a stellar festival this year! The final class of the evening Folk Song Solo O18. Always a lovely class, this particular style of singing always seems to evoke a relaxed atmosphere, and there was fine singing all around. Big congratulations to Emma Lancaster for winning the class with a Distinction mark of 87 in her first ever solo performance at the Eisteddfod! Beautiful singing, and well deserved.

Folk Groups winner, 'Seigneur Hedge Veg'