St Mary's Calne
Three students from St Mary’s Music department featured in this year’s Midsomerset Festival harp classes. The 'Calne Girls Can' attitude was on great display, and all involved must be highly commended on performing their pieces to an adjudicator and a live audience.
The festival, held at The Royal High School for Girls in Bath is a prestigious annual county event, and this year was our harp department’s first contribution to the event. Standards are extremely high, with students competing from specialist music schools, such as Wells Cathedral School.
We are delighted to announce that all of our entrants received certificates with honours and demonstrated fluent technical and artistic skills with emerging individuality.
Kate T (LIV) performed beautifully, with a sensitive and intelligent rendition of 'The Jade House' by Gustavson and Rachel O (UV) gave an assured and very musical performance of 'Rouet' by Hasselmans.
In the afternoon, Myra Z (UV) delighted the audience and adjudicator, with a wonderful performance of 'Angelus' by Renie and 'Etude number 3' by Damase and was subsequently awarded first place in her class. Well done, Myra!
The girls were also able to take part in a workshop with virtuoso harpist and Guildhall teacher, Keziah Thomas.
Speaking to the students on the trip back to school, the girls all agreed that it had been an inspiring day and that they had learned a lot from the experience of performing, the feedback from the adjudicator, and from observing some brilliant performances.
Our thanks go to the Midsomerset Festival team and the staff at Royal High for welcoming us into their community for this wonderful event.
Ms Jade Hamzelou, Teacher of Harp, and Mr Mark Sandon-Williams, Head of Keyboard Studies