Esk Community Choir - What's New?: SOMERSET MUSIC AWARDS

Suzannah Pegg and Michelle Rose receiving congratulations from adjudicator Mr Brendan Scully

There is a certain reluctance for this writer to announce final results, for it was that yesterday's performances at the SOMERSET MUSIC AWARDS were not about placings but moreover, about the opportunity for the young and young-at-heart to perform beautiful music; about receiving the benefits of constructive recommendations via adjudications; about finding places within to deliver performances beyond expectations to an encouraging audience; about building confidence and performance skills and learning to grow with a love for music in its many forms.

A large audience at St Agnes Anglican Hall, Esk on the morning of Saturday 27th August was treated to a mosaic of colourful performances by a whole host of talented music makers ranging in ages from under 7 to over 70, the genre of music, performance skills and musical experience being just as diverse. There was little Grace Jardine who made with poise her public solo debut on piano followed

Grace Jardine

by Bennet, Hannah and Meredith, three more little under 7s whose solo vocal performances were equally as self-assured. There was tiny Ticky Granzien, wonderful on trumpet as was her sister Seoneidin on clarinet; 11 year old Finlay Rose's beautiful touch on piano with Beethoven's 'Fur Elise' and in another section his brother, Callum's confident clarinet performance, all perhaps a portent of the birth a future orchestra for the Region? Hard to top were the comparatively experienced solo voices of Seoneidin, Katie FitzGerald and Sophie Lawrence whose talents belie their tender years.

The morning warmed up on a par with the levels of courage in the more advanced age sections for instrumental and vocal. As each took their turns in front of the audience and adjudicator, the highly credentialed Mr Brendan Scully, it was evident from his smiles and obvious enjoyment that his task of choosing winners was not going to be an easy one.

Obvious too was a shared love of music when Brad Jeffs, Jo Robbins and their children Bennet, Ayla, and Georgie made it a family affair with their solo and duet performances. Another's was Michelle Rose, a previous winner of the open vocal section, who at the time when her boys Callum and Finlay commenced lessons, decided to resume piano lessons of her own and on this day, again showed the diversity of her musical talents. Barely was there a foot not unconsciously tapping to the beat of the Button

Suzannah Pegg

Accordion when Suzannah Pegg gave the gifts of her talents, gaining her firsts in two sections. Bringing the lilting sounds of a foreign language into the mix, 16 year old Chloe Arentz' rendition of Giordani's ' Caro Mio Ben' was an insight into a promising musical future.

The open solo and duet sections offered up the delights of musical styles ranging from Sacred to Musical Theatre and lots in between. Noel Coward would have been smiling when Eric von Nida brought back this composer's genius with an amazing performance of 'The Stately Homes of England' and again in duet with Gail Webster, Gilbert and Sullivans' wonderful words and music from' Patience'. This open section was an exercise in never being too old or too late to make one's solo debut and it was for some, courageous performances which gained huge audience acclamation. However, as difficult for decision making as the programme was diverse, it was Maree Landsdown's beautiful rendition of 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' which gained a first.

Maree Lansdown

Eric von Nida

Whilst much of the credit for the success of an event such as this must go to Mr Brendan Scully for his unquestioned acceptance of a request to adjudicate, to all the entrants for their performances and who, together with their wonderful teachers, accompanists, mentors and parents have patiently put in the long hours honing and polishing in an effort to reach this level, it has been through the enduring efforts and instigation of Alexis FitzGerald O.A.M. that this event was initiated back in 2002 and with the assistance of the Esk Community Choir continues to exist. Always in all ways Alexis has devoted much of her life's work to the creation of opportunities for all ages to grow with a love of music, and for these a community and regions way beyond can be forever grateful.

Prizes, certificates and medals awarded to the place getters in each section were enabled through the generous sponsorship of St John Biarra Lodge, No.73, and the continual support of Esk Caravan Park, Esk Newsagency, Toogoolawah Pharmacy, Ray White Rural, Esk and Toogoolawah, Esk District Co-operative, Julie's at the Rectory and the Somerset Newspaper for whom the Esk Community Choir is continually indebted.

The 40th year of the Esk Community Choir's existence will be marked in 2018 and already anniversary celebrations are in the pipeline including plans for the next spectacular Somerset Music Awards and so many other events during what will be a year of amazing musical experiences.

by: Sue Walker