Welcome to the Rotary Club of South Cotswold's Web Site - March 2010
The audience at the final of the South Cotswold Rotary Young Musician Competition on 21 February at Sibly Hall Wycliffe College were spellbound by the sheer artistry of the winner Harry Smith from Malmesbury School playing the alto saxophone. He was a truly polished performer having first engaged the audience with his informative introduction to the three pieces which he then performed with consummate skill. He truly loves his jazz and communicated that to everyone.
Although there was one worthy winner the competition covered a wide range of instruments and musical styles from talented young musicians from a variety of the schools in the area served by the eight Rotary Clubs promoting the competition. Westonbirt School had three contestants in the final Tavoya Howeson, who also played of jazz on alto saxophone, Esther Chuang, piano, and Harriett Smith who played the cornet. But like John Gilbert from Marling School, who played his trombone most melodiously, and Chris Barnes (viola), from Katharine Lady Berkeley School (KLB) Wotton under Edge, they did not make the final three.
However Emily Jenner also from KLB, who had been a previous finalist was placed third equal, with her performance on the clarinet of three contrasting pieces by Finzi , Debussy and Brahms, jointly with Christopher Brown (cello) from the Castle School Thornbury, who gave a haunting rendition of “Prayer” from Jewish Life by Bloch and a vigorous 1st. Movement from Haydn Cello Concerto in C both from memory.
In second place was another cellist and the youngest competitor at 11 years. Felix Hughes played a piece by Handel followed by the 1st movement of a Concerto by Golterman and finishing with a Sabre Dance by Macmillan. He performed these contrasting pieces with considerable musicality and dexterity also from memory. He is the younger brother of last year’s winner Toby Hughes and Megan Hughes last year’s runner up. Whilst the judges were deliberating Megan, who now attends Wells Cathedral School as a music scholar, delighted the audience with a recital of pieces by Bach and Brahms
The competition attracted a record number of entrants this year, thirteen in the woodwind section alone, and the judges chaired by Rachel Howgego, a renowned local professional cellist, had a difficult task in making their final decision. In the end there was no doubt about the winner but because of the high standard of the runners up they awarded the third place to two contestants equally.
The competition was genially compered by Terry Pascoe the chairman of the organising committee from the Rotary Club of Dursley.
Joan Norris the widow of Mervyn Norris one of the original committee members presented the trophy named after her husband together with the first prize of £300 to Harry Smith. The other prizes to the runners up and section winners were presented by the various sponsors of the competition without whose support it would not be possible to continue and to whom the eight Rotary Clubs in the area promoting the event are most grateful.
The Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds meets at 7.30 for 8.00pm every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at The Rose & Crown, Brokenborough, Malmesbury.