Junior students perform at Pearl Beach

Twelve junior students from the Central Coast Conservatorium performed at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall on the weekend of June 1 and 2.

The Junior Showcase Concert, sponsored by the Pearl Beach Progress Association and the Irvine family, was introduced to celebrate solo instrument and vocal performances by the Central Coast Conservatorium's junior students.

Central Coast Conservatorium artistic director Mr Patrick Brennan said: "Although competition is a common aspect of the musical education process, too often the focus is on competing rather than performing."

"Twelve young students were selected offering them the opportunity to perform in front of an audience, and play from their hearts and be concerned with expressing themselves musically, which is what music is all about," said Mr Brennan.

The junior students, who are aged between 10 and 12, said that they loved to play and have fun with music.

The afternoon program included a variety of classical pieces played on a number of instruments including, flute, piano, voice, percussion, strings and brass.

At the conclusion of the concert special guest, and recipient of the 2012 Pearl Beach Music Scholarship, flautist Alyse Faith performed pieces by Wilhelm Molique and Reinecke.

The following day, six students from the Central Coast Conservatorium competed for the annual Pearl Beach Music Scholarship of $500 and Highly Commended of $250.

The students, who are all from local colleges and schools with ages ranging from 15 to 17 years, played a varied program including instrumental, vocal and classical items.

Pianist Allyne Brislan provided an interpretive accompaniment to the students.

The annual piano scholarship of $500, sponsored by the Irvine Family, was presented by Heather Irvine, to piano student Daniel Kim who performed Sonata in D, Op. 13 - Mateo Albeniz; La Cage de Cristal - Jacques Ibert, concluding with Rhapsodie Mignonne.

Daniel played on the Kawai piano, which was a gift to Pearl Beach by the Irvine brothers in memory of their parents Alex and Helen Irvine who were among the earliest Pearl Beach settlers.

Adjudicator for the afternoon Mr Warwick Ross provided an overview and critique to the students, giving each one a personal overview of their technical interpretation and presentation skills.

"It is extremely difficult to judge due to the diversity of performance ranging from voice to instruments," said Mr Ross.

"However, the Highly Commended oboe performance by Jasper Wand who played pieces by Telemann and Kallliwoda were musical and technically correct."

When announcing the winner of this year's Music Scholarship to violinist Eva Li who played pieces by Mozart and Fritz Kreisler Mr Ross said: "Your interpretation was way beyond your age, congratulations."

Pearl Beach Progress Association president Mr Roger Murray said: "on behalf of the local community, the Progress Association is delighted to sponsor two scholarships that will assist aspiring young musicians to continue their musical education at the Central Coast Conservatorium."

Email, 4 Jun 2013

Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association