Junior showcase concert held at Pearl Beach

The Pearl Beach Memorial Hall was filled for the Junior Showcase Concert, which offers Central Coast Conservatorium students aged between 7 and 12 years old the opportunity to perform with a solo instrument or vocal performance.

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.

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

Seven students from the Conservatorium competed for the 12th annual Pearl Beach Music Scholarship of $1000.

The students, all from local colleges and schools, performed a varied program including voice, piano and instrumental.

Pianist Ms Lilli Naulu provided an interpretive accompaniment to the students contributing greatly to their individual performances.

Adjudicator for the afternoon, Mr Ian Cook, senior lecturer at Avondale Conservatorium and artistic director for Newcastle Youth Orchestra, said: "All of the students presented amazing performances, making it very difficult to make a choice.

"It is very important to relate to the audience and perform with emotion and acknowledge their appreciation of your performance."

This year's scholarship recipient was guitarist Min Ahn.

Mr Cook said: "Min Ahn performed with great skill and passion expressing a love of fingerstyle guitar and is hoping to specialise in jazz music."

Min Ahn was accompanied by renowned jazz pianist Rodric White.

The annual Irvine Piano Scholarship of $800, generously sponsored by the Irvine family, was presented to piano student Jade Jiang.

The People's Choice Award, valued at $250, was closely contested with the audience also choosing Min Ahn.

SOURCE:

Media release, 4 Jul 2017

Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association