Young Musician Competition

The Northampton competition will be held at the Malcolm Arnold Academy, Trinity Avenue from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm approx.

A Musical Morning of Delight

We enjoyed another great morning of music from some of our local youngsters at the Malcom Arnold Academy today.  As the adjudicator, Stephen Williams, Director of Music at Uppingham School, said all the performers had obviously worked hard at practice and gave of their very best.

After a brief introduction from Past President Brian May the Juniors (6 to 10 years old) gave a remarkable series of performances, with those of 7-year-old Freya Chapman and 9-year old Joseph Hurst being particularly notable.  Stephen Wiliams gave a brief, very sensitive and helpful appraisal of each participant's performance and presented his notes to each of them, for their future reference, and Brian May gave everyone a certificate.

The Intermediate Group (11 to 13 years old) was next, and we were treated once again to some excellent piano playing.  As before Stephen's remarks were helpful and insightful, and his notes and a certificate were given to all those who took part.

After a short break we heard from the seniors (14 to 17 years old).  William Gent played two very difficult pieces, the first of which was a sonata by Scarlatti followed by Haydn's Allegro from his Sonata in B flat.  He was followed by Mathew Carnaguier, who changed the order of his two pieces, playing first "The Sun is Setting" by Alwyn and then another Scarlatti sonata.  It took a few bars of music for the penny to drop, as the first piece certainly didn't sound like Scarlatti - as stated in the programme!  Both gave memorable performances, which belied their youth.

President-Elect, Paul Bundyford, wound up proceedings by thanking Stephen Williams, all the participants, their families and supporters and the Rotary Club helpers.

Those chosen by adjudicator, Stephen Williams to go forward to the District 1070 Semi-final at St Ivo's School, St. Ives, Huntingdon, were: -

Junior - Freya Chapman

Intermediate - Tanisha Kitchener

Senior - William Gent

All three are students of Miles Christian

Here are some photographs of the participants receiving their awards from Stephen Williams, Brian May or Paul Bundyford.

Intoduction by Rtn Brian May	Hannah Smith (Junior)	Freya Chapman (Junior)
Joseph Hirst (Junior)	Deshararai Henry (Junior)	Yifan He (Junior)
Matilda Ballinger (Junior)	Tanisha Kitchenor (Intermediate)	Harriet Tuggle (Intermediate)
William Owen (Intermediate)	Mathew Timpson (Intermediate)	William Gent (Senior)
	Mathew Canaguier (Senior)
Freya Chapman receives her Junior Winner's Certificate	Tanisha Kitchener receives her Intermediate Winner's Certificate	William Gent receives his Senior Winner's Certificate