The Newsletter of the Music Teachers’ Association of South Australia Inc.
Vol. 24 No. 4 – Oct/Dec 2016
NORMAN SELLICK MEMORIAL PRIZE Saturday October 22 Cynthia Poulton Hall, North Adelaide by Betty Snowden
Rosanne Hammer addresses the audience
What an unenviable task was given to Rosanne Hammer, adjudicator of this high standard scholarship performance afternoon at Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral on Saturday October 22. Rosanne herself admitted to the difficulty that she had in selecting a winner. However there had to be a winner. On this occasion it was Cindy Shi who edged out two other high performers by the fact that both her pieces were stunningly executed. This evenness won her the day over performances in which one piece was brilliant but the other less so. This seemed a fair decision. The works chosen by performers ranged from Bach to Maykapar to Shostakovich, Miriam Hyde and Colin Brumby. There is certainly a tendency for young people to favour and brilliantly execute the works of more contemporary composers, not that Maykapar or Shostakovich can be considered contemporary.
The performers
There were fourteen competitors: two voice, one flute and the remainder pianists. It was a delight to hear these young musicians perform, all showing high promise, and all passionate, highly skilled and inspiring. MTASA established the Norman Sellick Memorial Prize in 1972 to honour the immense contribution that violinist, teacher and conductor Norman Sellick (1895-1970) gave to the Adelaide musical community in the first half of the twentieth century. He was a wellknown violin teacher and Deputy Leader of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra. He established a number of orchestras, including the Unley Orchestra in 1924, and was asked by Prof. John Bishop to conduct a Junior Orchestra at the Elder Conservatorium in 1948. For twenty-four years he was President of MTASA (1941-44, 1948-69). It is indeed important to honour such a distinguished musical figure in our city, and our young musicians are a credit to his memory.
Cindy Shi is commended
It is hoped that MTASA continues to hold this scholarship prize, which offers valuable performance experience to young Adelaidians. Many thanks to the adjudicator, Rosanne Hammer, whose comments on the performers were deeply encouraging.
Cindy Shi with Rosanne Hammer
Special thanks to MC Rodney Smith, and also to Masako Kondo and Norma Knight for their important and greatly appreciated work in administering and running the event.
♫♫♫ J HUMOUR J
What do you get when you play New Age music backwards? New Age music. A teenage pop-fan was taken to her first symphony concert. to her mother and said, ‘Is it all right if I scream now?’
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At the conclusion of the opening piece she turned