MUSIC
BERKSHIRE MAESTROS YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR Downe House vocalists achieved great success in the Berkshire Maestros Young Singer of the Year Competition 2014-2015. The competition began in October when sixteen singers from Upper Fourth to Upper Sixth entered into one of three categories, ‘Classical,’ ‘Folk’ and ‘Musical Theatre’. A full afternoon of fantastic performances followed, ranging from unaccompanied Chinese folk song, to the Sound of Music’s ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and Clean Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’. Seven of our girls were chosen to go through to the semifinal; Emilie Cheung (LV), Henrietta Ryan (LV), Janice Wing Tung Kwong (UV), Chee Sum (Tiffany) Lai (UIV), Olivia Scott (LVI), Rose Galbraith (UV) and Alexandra O’Kane (LV). The second round of the competition took place in February, where all competitors performed new repertoire. While all seven of our entries performed brilliantly, only a few could win coveted places in the finale and we achieved not one, but two, of these. Rose Galbraith was through to the final of the Musical category and Alexandra O’Kane to the Classical category.
Amidst a busy musical Founder’s Weekend in June, Rose and Alexandra travelled to Reading for the final of the competition. Alexandra’s accomplished performance of Roger Quilter’s ‘Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal’ was one of the highlights of the afternoon. A dramatic and emotive performance of ‘On my Own’ from Les Miserables by Rose wowed both the audience and the adjudicators and she was crowned ‘Berkshire Young Singer of the Year 20142015’ in the Musicals category. The competition was a fantastic experience for all involved, who were inspired not only through hearing constructive praise and feedback from adjudicators in each round, but also by hearing so many singers from across the county. Many thanks should also go to our accompanist Mr Christopher Brayne who accompanied all of the girls in the semi-final and the final. Many congratulations to all involved! Miss Amy Thompson, Assistant Director of Music
154 Alexandra O’Kane
Henrietta Ryan
Olivia Scott
Emilie Cheung
Rose Galbraith
Janice Wing Tung Kwong
Chee Sum (Tiffany) Lai
THE EVELYN BARBIROLLI WOODWIND PRIZE The Music Department has been donated a most exquisite music prize of Sir John Barbirolli’s baton by Lord and Lady Norton. It is entitled ‘The Evelyn Barbirolli Woodwind Prize’ for the most promising woodwind player. Sir John Barbirolli’s baton saw the premiere of Vaughan-Williams’ 8th Symphony and indeed the restoration of the Hallé to its pre-war reputation, as well as its subsequent national and international standing. The number of world class performances by the great composers given under this baton by such an eminent conductor and orchestra is immense and represents a significant and exciting time in British post war musical history. This prize is an inspirational fusion of English orchestral and composing history and, as such, it is a most incredible honour and privilege for the School to be able to recognise a talented and promising woodwind player in this way. The first recipient of this very special prize is a talented oboist in the Remove, Antonia Holloway, who is studying at the Junior Department at the Royal College of Music. Congratulations to Antonia and sincere thanks to Lord and Lady Norton for donating such a precious prize that will transcend time. Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music MUSIC