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| Mr Brendan Scully |
"I
never thought I would ever see this happening!"...Words whispered by his partner as she watched
and listened in measured awe while he delivered with a nervous confidence his
mellow notes from the stage at Saturday's 2014 SOMERSET MUSIC AWARDS.
This
is what this event is all about: For music lovers of all ages and lovers of
music in all its forms it is a platform from which to leap; a platform from
which to find out what is possible when one tries; a platform where performers
receive advice and encouragement and accolades for their effort, commitment and
achievement. Our adjudicator on the day was Mr Brendan Scully, Director of
music at the Sunshine Coast Grammar School, who was generous with his advice,
encouragement and praise for contestants and organizers alike.
On Saturday
2nd August, 27 singers and instrumentalists, lined up to participate in this
year's event which, for the second year, now encompasses participants from both
the Somerset
and Lockyer Valley Regions.
Initiated in 2004 by Alexis FitzGerald OAM, and hosted every two years
by the Esk Community Choir, the event this year was presented for the first time
in Esk's spectacular Somerset Civic Centre. Such an inspiring stage from which
to perform! Families, friends and many
interested others formed a large audience in support of the entrants who all rose
to the occasion with passion, joy and a
variety of performances which brought their music to life.
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| Cr Graeme Lehmann |
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| Junior Participants L-R Emily, Carley, Katie, Ticky, Aydan, Isaac, Joshua, Nedi, Emily Back: Alexis FitzGerald OAM & Callum Rose |
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| Joshua FitzGerald |
Sisters,
Emily and Katie FitzGerald were goose-bump outstanding in both their vocal and
instrumental performances winning 1st places in their respective sections and with
their brother Joshua's convincing rendition of 'I Am Australian' , all were proof of the abundance of amazing musical talent that runs
through their veins. Others, such as
Nedi and Ticky Granzien and Aydan Forsyth, all members of the superlative
singing ensemble The Semitones,
displayed both solo and duet performances with the beauty and confidence they
have come to know in their singing. Carley Kunde, in the Under 11 age section, gave
a stunning performance of her own composition on guitar to the lyrics of "The Beach" while the audience
might have felt moved by many emotions when the very talented Callum Rose on
clarinet, performed "Callum in G
Minor", a tune written
especially for him by his Grandad .
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| Matthew Lukritz |
One
of Emily's winning performances was a duet with the standout young talent,
Matthew Lukritz who has been a cornet playing member of the Mt Beppo Brass Band
for a number of years. At 15 years of age
he displays passion and commitment to his music and with his vocal duet beside
Emily, his stirring solo rendition of "Empty
Chairs and Empty Tables" from Les Miserables and his trumpet duet
with Russell Zammitt on piano, his talents shone from the stage.
 |
| Suzannah Pegg |
There
were the rising talents of young guitarists, Emily and Samuel Weber with Samuel
showcasing his versatility in a fluid Blues performance on piano. Suzannah Pegg amazed the audience with her
piano accordion combo while Talena Harvey gave a sensitive piano rendition of
Bach's "Minuet".
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| Talena Harvey |
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| Rebecca Pronard |
Rebecca Pronard made gaining 1st place
in her vocal section a certainty with her soulful singing of the Leonard Cohen
arrangement, "Hallelujah"
and Olivia Green's version of Rihanna's "Stay"
was not far behind. Diminutive Charlotte
Henderson gave her all with the Garth Brooks song "The River" and teeny tiny beginner Isaac Green bravely
tackled Beethoven's "Fur Elise"
on keyboard. All these performers
brought together by their love of music and all worthy of the high praise
received.
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| Isaac Green |
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| Katie FitzGerald |
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| Ticky Granzien |
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| Charlotte Henderson |
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| Olivia Green |
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| Samuel and Emily Weber |
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| Carley Kunde |
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| Emily FitzGerald |
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| Callum Rose |
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| Aydan Forsyth |
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| Nedi Granzien |
The
extensive Open Sections provided some tough competition, many with their wealth
of musical experience evident. In some sections, picking winners presented its
challenges while other first- time soloists and duet participants gave
performances that took them beyond their wildest expectations, many leaving the
stage simply bursting with the joy of their new found confidence.
Without
the generosity of Sponsors such as St John Biarra Masonic Lodge in Esk, and the
many local businesses who continue to support the Esk Community Choir and its
endeavours, this event would not continue to play the important role that it
does in the Community. Our grateful and heartfelt thanks go to Alexis FitzGerald
for her boundless generosity of self in the preparation of not only this event but
also of the many participants who have put up their hands and also to both
Alexis and Margaret Philp for their exemplary piano accompaniment throughout
this event.
The
Somerset Music Awards is not about winners and losers. It is about using this
platform to build confidence, to learn and grow from Mr Brendan Scully's constructive
comments. It is all 'for the love of Music' and
encouraged by this, it is hoped that,
particularly for the youth, it continues to provide a stepping stone to
an enduring love of their music, that
more and more of every age will recognize the benefits of this Music Festival
and nominate for the next. It is about
the life-long joys that making music can bring.
RESULTS for 2014 SOMERSET
MUSIC AWARDS
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO:
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7 yrs and under
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HC
|
Isaac Green
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9 yrs and under
|
1st
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Katie FitzGerald
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11 yrs and under
|
1st
|
Emily FitzGerald
|
2nd
|
Callum Rose
|
|
3rd
|
Emily Weber
|
|
HC
|
Carley Kunde
|
|
13 yrs and under
|
1st
|
Samuel Weber
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16 yrs and under
|
1st
|
Talena Harvey
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20 yrs & under
|
1st
|
Suzannah Pegg
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Open
|
1st
|
Russell Zammitt
|
INSTRUMENTAL DUET
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13 yrs & under
|
1st
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Emily Weber/Samuel Weber
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Open
|
1st
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Matthew Lukritz/Russell Zammitt
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VOCAL SOLO:
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9 yrs & under
|
1st
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Katie FitzGerald
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2nd
|
Nedi Granzien
|
|
3rd
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Ticky Granzien
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HC
|
Joshua FitzGerald
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11 yrs & under
|
1st
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Emily FitzGerald
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2nd
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Carley Kunde
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3rd
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Aydan Forsyth
|
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13 yrs & under
|
1st
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Olivia Green
|
2nd
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Charlotte Henderson
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16 yrs & under
|
1st
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Rebecca Pronard
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2nd
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Matthew Luckritz
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3rd
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Olivia Green
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OPEN
|
1st
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Michelle Rose
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2nd
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Kathleen Watts
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3rd
|
Maree Lansdown
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HC
|
John Caffin
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VOCAL DUET
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9 yrs and under
|
1st
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Nedi and Ticky Granzien
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11 yrs and under
|
1st
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Nedi Granzien/Emily FitzGerald
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2nd
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Katie FitzGerald/Aydan Forsyth
|
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16 yrs and under
|
1st
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Emily FitzGerald/Matthew Lukritz
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Open
|
1st
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Di Chaplin/Gail Webster
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2nd
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Nola Neimeyer/Kathleen Watts
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3rd
|
Jan Jennings/Robyn Bagster
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OPEN VOCAL TRIO
|
1st
|
Nola Neimeyer/Caitlin Wollaston/KathleenWatts
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