Young Musician (vocalist) competition

Following the very successful instrumentalist competition on 7th November, the club ran its Young Musician competition for vocalists in Cowbridge School. Although the instrumental competition has been running for a number of years, this was the first time for vocalists and what an event it proved to be! There were 7 young ladies taking part (no boys, unfortunately) who sang a very wide range of pieces. Each of the competitors was required to perform 2 contrasting songs and they were judged on communication, presentation, technique and content.

Paige Sherreard started off the competition with 'Green Finch and Linnet Bird' from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim followed by 'Somebody Loved' by the Weepies. In the second of these, she was accompanied by her brother Ryan on the guitar. Paige was followed by Ellie Williams with the well-known 'Somewhere' from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, then 'Till There Was You' from Music Man by Meredith Wilson. Next Sophie Thomas performed 'The Silver Swan' by Orlando Gibbons and 'Standchen' by Schubert. She was followed by Charlotte Adams who sang 'I Attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly' by Purcell followed by 'My Ship' from Lady in the Dark by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin.

Verity-Belle Atkinson was awarded third place with her rendition of the contrasting 'Panis Angelicus' by Cesar Franck and 'I Could Have Danced all Night' from My Fair Lady by Lerner and Loewe. Olivia Hopper was placed second with 2 pieces from the musicals; 'Somewhere' from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and 'Can't Help Lovin' dat Man' from Showboat by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. The judges were unanimous in placing Asha Fletcher Peters in first place with her wonderfully lyrical and dramatic performance of 'Green Finch and Linnet bird' from Sweeney Todd and 'Daddy's Son' from Ragtime by Flaherty and Alen.

The panel of judges comprised Nic Treharne formerly of BBC and HTV music departments, Helena Braithwaite former county advisor for music and experienced instrumentalist and conductor and Iona Jones, professional soprano and president of Cowbridge Male Voice Choir. John Clarke, the club president, praised the competitors for such a wonderful evening of music and congratulated Adrian Colborne, the head of music of Cowbridge School, for his piano accompaniments and encouragement of his students.