By Justin Whyte, Senior Staff Reporter
LAST THURSDAY, which was the fifth sitting of the Music Teachers Association's Music Festival 2001, was the day on which students specialising in string instruments were at their peak of performances.
Stefan Kerr, who entered Class 23 Violin Intermediate Open, topped the class with 87 marks. For this he received high commendation from adjudicator Jonathan Martin, who described Kerr's presentation as being "controlled".
He also said Kerr presented clean bowing and engaged a bright tempo, which assisted the overall intonation of the piece. However, the adjudicator cautioned him about the use of vibrato.
Meanwhile, in Class 20 Violin Repertoire, 16 and Under, Jessica Yap playing Boy Paganini by Mullenhaver, Allegro by Handel and Introduction and Palonaise by Bohn, chalked up 87 marks. Her Allegro came in for much praise from the adjudicator. Mr. Martin described her playing as "expressive, bright and done to character". However, he expressed concern about her playing of the other pieces, where he claimed timing and dotted rhythms were not consistently observed.
In the Mixed Choir Open Category Class 115, Hillel Academy Preparatory School scored 86 marks. The adjudicator thought their singing was "most enjoyable". He spoke eloquently of the choir's tonal quality and showmanship.
Giselle Motta, playing The Joker by A. Gretchan, edged Elaine Chai playing Italian Rant by a mark (86 to 85) in Class 32 Cello Junior Open. They were described by the adjudicator as being "promising musicians".
On the final day of festival, Friday, November 2, the competition got quite intense and standards soared to even greater heights. Eleven-year-old Liane Fongyee, a Grade 6 student of Immaculate Conception High School, playing Rondo, by Diabelli, Italian Fisherman's Song by Schumann and Pajaro Triste by Monpou, scored 90 marks to win the Class 2 piano Intermediate Open. She won from a field of 12 competitors. Liane, who is coached by Rosemarie Yap, told The Gleaner: "I feel great! I am astonished"!
Liane practises for two hours each week on the piano and hopes to sit Grade 5 piano next year.
In the same class, Samantha Lee playing Rondo by Diabelli, Pepita by Grovlez and The Grove by Lutoslawski was runner-up with 88 marks. Renee Morgan, whose playing was bright and well-controlled, came third while Kathryn Royce, Tari Ann-Lovell, Davina Duggan, Andre Dennis and Laurian Lue Yen received honour awards.
The adults were not to be outdone as they performed with much brilliance in their respective fields and classes. They all drew high commendation from the adjudicator, who was particularly pleased with their mastery of foreign languages in the Lieder Class.
Barry Williams, a baritone, singing Ich grolle nicht by Schumman and accompanied by Lloyd Hall, won that class with 87 marks.
In the Negro Spiritual Category Class 92, which the adjudicator felt was of a "high standard", Barry Williams again was the winner, this time with 96 marks.
His runners-up were Dale Edwards and Joyce Thompson, both of whom scored 95 marks. Christine McDonald came third with 93 marks. Debbie Campbell and Stephanie Hazel received honours awards.
Class 113 Piano Duets Open was won by Richile Brown and Cherrie Tulloch playing Hush-a-bye and Music Box by Helyer. While Kelly Fletcher and Kimberly Lyn in their rendition of Lullaby by Mozart and Waltz by Schubert received honours awards.
