PEARL BEACH COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT YOUNG MUSICIANS
Front row, left to right: Anastasia Milwain; Eden Cook; and Piano Scholarship winner – Kimberly Gilbert, Back row left to right: Olivia Bell, Pearl Beach Highly Commended; Mr Chris Bearman OAM; Micha Blik; Alyse Faith, Pearl Beach Scholarship Winner; and Sephanie Kelly.
An enthusiastic audience packed the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall for the annual presentations of music scholarships to students from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.
The students are from local colleges and schools, years nine through twelve, performing an exciting and varied program. Accomplished pianist Allyne Brislan provided a brilliant and sensitive accompaniment to the young instrumentalists and vocal performers.
The Irvine Family Piano Scholarship was awarded to Kimberly Gilbert who delighted the audience with her beautiful playing (from memory), Notturno – E. Grieg and, Poupee Valsante from Marionnettes – E. Poldini.
Alex Irvine, representing his brothers, presented the Irvine Piano Scholarship, worth $500 to Kimberly, complimenting her on her playing and commented that, “Kimberly played lovingly and sensitively the Kawaii piano that was a gift to Pearl Beach in memory of their parents Alex and Helen Irvine, who were among the earliest Pearl Beach settlers.
Adjudicator this year was Mr Chris Bearman OAM. Until recently well known as the Artistic Director of the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. Born in the UK where his music education was at Dartington College of Arts and the Guildhall School of Music in London. On moving to Australia in 1994 his interest in this area continued with teaching posts in violin and ensemble studies at Newcastle and Central Coast Conservatoriums.
Six young performers competed for two scholarships $500 and $250 awarded by the Pearl Beach Progress Association. This years winner of the Pearl Beach Music Scholarship is flutist Alyse Faith. Chris Bearman commented “that her performance of Mozart’s Allegro from Sonata in F major, and the 2nd and 3rd movements from Sonata by Hindemith displayed beautiful phrasing and was a dynamic articulation of the flute”.
The Pearl Beach Highly Commended award was presented to Olivia Bell, violin, who performed Sarabande and Gigue in D minor by JS Bach and the 2nd movement of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto demonstrating an understanding of the music and producing a wonderful tone.
Violinist Anastasia Milwain played pieces by F. Kreisler and M. de Falla. Micah Blik’s, guitar performance included pieces by Giuliana, and JS Bach. Vocalist, Eden Hook displayed her enormous voice with a diverse range of songs, concluding with a surprising choice of Gershwin’s Blah Blah Blah.
Concluding the scholarship concert was Stephanie Kelly on saxophone, playing Concertante by Paladilhe and 2nd and 3rd movements from Scaramouche Suite.
Feedback to the students by adjudicator, Chris Bearman included, “Learning the technique of getting the message across to the audience is very important. Practice and play to an imaginary person to perfect your technique in projecting your music “. He concluded that “the standard was extremely high making it difficult to choose a winner and runner-up” He pointed out that” performance is more than playing well – it is essential to relate to the audience”,