Celebrating music at Young Musician of the Year Festival

Berkhamsted’s annual Young Musician of the Year Festival is a week-long celebration of musical talent, giving pupils from Prep to Sixth the opportunity to perform in front of their friends and family. The Festival Concerts were informal showcases across a range of levels, while more advanced instrumentalists competed for the titles of Young Instrumentalist of the Year (Year 6 and below), Young Performer of the Year (Year 9 and below) and Young Musician of the Year (Year 13 and below).

In both the Festival Concert and the competitive rounds, pupils demonstrated remarkable confidence in performing in front of their peers. For a number of pupils this was their first time ever performing in public, and it was lovely to see the support of staff, pupils and parents in the audience. ‘These events are designed to be a platform to promote not just the development of musical ability, but to offer each musician the opportunity to participate at the level that suits them best,’ says Mr B Noithip, Head of Solo Music.

As ever, the variety of musical instruments on display was a feast for the ears. Pupils performed on the piano, flute, clarinet, violin, cornet, classical and electric guitar, voice, cello, bassoon – the list goes on! Performance pieces also spanned classical compositions, musical theatre and modern pop. Advanced instrumentalists were inspirational to both their audience and each other as they Aimed High and tackled complex pieces in the competitive rounds.

An orchestra workshop was also held on Monday, in which pupils from Year 4 to Year 13 participated in an ensemble where less experienced players learned pieces from scratch alongside members of the Symphony Orchestra. ‘It was brilliant to see some very young pupils who took part in the Orchestra Workshop as inexperienced ensemble players being coached by senior pupils,’ says Mr Noithip. ‘They left with a real sense of excitement for their own future learning.’ Both the Orchestra Workshop and Festival Concert enabled pupils to interact with other year groups in a celebration of music across all ages and continue the growth of music at the School.

The whole week was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to practise their performance skills, including introducing their pieces and bowing, while remaining in a supportive and informal environment. A huge congratulations to everyone who participated, and to the winners of this year’s competitive sections, the winners of the instrumental classes and all those presented with the adjudicator’s awards.

Winners – Finals

Young Instrumentalist of the Year (Adjudicator – Mr Aaron Parker)

Joint Winners:

• Olivia H (flute)
• Mikaela E B-K (violin)

Adjudicator’s Awards:

• Poppy K (flute)
• Rose K (violin)

Young Performer of the Year (Adjudicator – Mr Aaron Parker)

Competition Joint Winners:

• Miles F (piano)
• Bertie A (electric guitar)

Adjudicator’s Awards:

• James C (trumpet)

Young Musician of the Year (Adjudicator – Mr Aaron Parker)

Competition Winner:

• Bea M (violin)

Adjudicator’s Awards:

• Sean W (piano)
• Emma B (oboe)
• Alexandra G (piano)

Winners – Rounds

Young Instrumentalist of the Year (adjudicators – Mr Bond, Mr Melling, Mr Shiels)

• Winner – Brass & Wind: James C (trumpet)
• Winner – Strings: Chelsie L (violin)
• Winner – Piano: Miles F

Adjudicators’ Awards:

• Josephine W (piano)
• Micah L (classical guitar)
• Bertie A (electric guitar)
• Emmy L (piano)
• Clara I-R (piano)
• Ella K (alto saxophone)
• Edward F (clarinet)
• Jasper W (piano)

Young Musician of the Year (adjudicators – Mr Bond, Mr Melling, Mr Shiels)

• Winner – Brass & Wind: Emma B (oboe)
• Winner – Strings: Bea M (violin)
• Winner – Piano: Alexandra G

Adjudicators’ Awards:

• Gibran P (piano)
• Emma B (piano)
• Thomas I (piano)
• Sean W (piano)
• Kai H (piano)
• Louis S (flute)
• Baxter Y (trumpet)
• Cindy C (violin)