It says something when more than 80 audience members – parents, grandparents and the general public – turn up on a wintry Sunday afternoon to support young talent.
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It says something when 15 young aspiring musicians will bravely step on stage to show off their musical abilities, demonstrating a range of instruments to this anticipating audience.
And it says something when the St Cecilia organising committee can expect many of these young music students to go on and apply for the next round of St Cecelia Youth Music Scholarships auditions.
Indeed, applause all round for the St Cecilia Music Scholarship Awards’ pop-up concert at St Peters Anglican College, Broulee.
Bree Meely used that most natural instruments – her delightful voice – when she sang the song made famous by Roberta Flack, Killing Me Softly, with clarity and style. Then the lullaby Cradle, by Frans Schubert, was sung with great sensitivity and expression. Wow, does Bree have a superb voice to watch.
Thomas Whittaker pumped out three different pieces to show his expertise on piano. The Hungarian Dance No.5 by Brahms was fast-paced piece with slightly slower melodic phrases interspersed, and Thomas mastered both moods well. He also played one of Mozart’s best known piano pieces, Turkish March, followed by Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude by J.S. Bach. Wow, is Thomas a natural talent to watch.
Grace Faletose showed her mastery of the piano with a jazz-like piece, You’ve got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman, and made famous in the movie Toy Story. Grace played the piano with maturity and natural ability, delivering a modern piece to showcase her musical talents with impressive expressiveness. Wow, does Grace have a charismatic style to watch.
Brody Blackman rounded off the afternoon of music with an explosion of sounds on guitar. Brody’s mature rendition of the well-know yet very difficult Requerdos de la Alhambra, by Francisco Tárrega, was played with expression and phrasing and showcased his guitar fingering so well. Wow, does Brody have a remarkable flair to watch.
And these performers were just four of the 15 talented young musicians who popped-up and warmed-up a cold Sunday afternoon. Applause all round.
St Cecilia president Chris Heazlewood the quality of the performances was very good.
“Judging by the applause – and later comments from the audience – the concert was a resounding success. I encourage all local aspiring musicians and singers to apply for the scholarships,” he said.
Entries are now open for the 2018 St Cecilia Youth Music Scholarships 2018, with prizes of up to $1,000. More information at www.stcecilia.org.au or 0417 532 358.
The performers
Thomas Whittaker, piano, Stephanie Lunn violin and piano, Kaeleigh Peard, piano, Madeline Forner, vocal, Sky Wildman, piano, Brody Blackman, acoustic guitar, Sakura Tinker, piano, Damia O’Loughlin, clarinet and guitar, Jana Patrizi, piano, Grace Faletose, piano, Gemma Ferguson, piano, Emma Tuckwell, flute, Edwina Cooke, piano, Karissa Sydenham, vocal, and Bree Meely, vocal