Musicians impress judges at Piano and Wind Festival Day

On Sunday we held our Piano and Wind Festivals, adjudicated by Murray McLachlan and Julian Bliss respectively.

There were some fabulous performances and a real sense of competition in each class. The awards were made as follows: 

 Intermediate Wind 

• Leadership Prize - Zara B (MSH, III) 
• Musical Awareness Prize - Chloe T (MSH, LVI) 
• Musical Contribution Prize - Maisy E (MSH, LVI) 
• Chamber Performance Prize - William H (Rb, IV) 
• Outstanding Performer Prize - Stephen J (SH, IV) 

 Senior Wind 

• 1st place - Joyce L (M, LVI (Flute) 
• 2nd place - Natalia T (EDH, V) (Saxophone) 
• 3rd place - Isobel H (MSH, UVI) (Flute) 
• Special Mention - Oliver C (RB, V) (Saxophone) 

 Intermediate Piano 

• 1st place - Harry P (PH, III) 
• 2nd place - Jasmine C (MSH, IV) 
• 3rd place - George R (PH, III) 
• Highly Commended - Logan P (R, III) 
• Commended - Puntharee S (MSH, IV) 

 Advanced Piano 

• 1st place - Marina K (EDH, IV) 
• 2nd place - Arthur H-B (I, LVI) 
• 3rd place - Oliver C (Rb, V) 

Highly Commended         

• Annie F (M, UVI) 
• Godwin Y (SH, LVI) 

Commended                     

• Dominic I-J (Ch, UVI) 
• Tom K (PH, V) 
• Cecilia L (G, LVI) 

The Piano Prize was adjudicated by Dr Murray McLachlan who is the Head of the Keyboard department at Chetham's School of Music. There was an Intermediate class and an Advanced Class where about 25 students in total took part and performed their pieces. There were many stunning performances, and it was a celebratory afternoon marking the talent and the hard work of all the piano students.  

Peter Bradley-Fulgoni, Principal Piano Teacher at Shrewsbury, said: “This year's 'Piano Festival' produced three prize-winners of genuine potential and promise of great things to come.  

“Marina K (EDH) played Granados Allegro de Concierto Op.46, Arthur H-B (I) played Scriabin Etude Op.42 No.5 and Oliver C (Rb) Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2.  

"As piano teacher of all three of them here at Shrewsbury School, It has been an honour and a privilege to be able to provide insights both technical and musical at such a formative phase in their pianistic development."

The Wind Prize took a slightly different form this year; the junior and intermediate class was amalgamated into a workshop where students had to work together in small ensembles to learn a new piece only given to them on Sunday afternoon, ready to perform in a concert during the afternoon.  

Maria McKenzie, Assistant Director of Music, said: “I am delighted in how they all rose to the challenge and managed some really, very good performances. Awards were presented not only on how they performed but more importantly how they interacted with the ensembles during the afternoon.” 

In addition to learning performance skills, students were expected to sight read and show musical direction.  

Our adjudicator for the afternoon was internationally renowned clarinettist Julian Bliss, who was very impressed with the standard. Following the concert was the Senior Wind Prize, a really sought after and highly competitive class which saw some really extraordinary performances. 

“I would like to say well done to all involved, there were many students that deserved a prize and it really demonstrated the remarkable standard of wind playing that we have here at Shrewsbury,” added Mrs McKenzie.