And so the 13^th Rotary Young Musician Award comes to an end.   The final, held at the Great Hall of the Bristol Grammar School proved that the standard of musicianship in this city is as high as ever.    An audience of  just under 400 were treated to a superb evening of playing and singing by six of the best of local young talent. ( ages ranged from 14yrs - 18yrs.)

The event started with the piano playing of 14yr old Max Whittaker from Nailsea school.  He played works by Bach, Mendelssohn and Gershwin, with his scherzo in E minor, being highlighted by the senior adjudicator, Elizabeth Ritchie, as one of the special moments of the evening.  This young man has a wonderful free spirit and will excite many audiences in the future.   For his overall performance he received third prize.  A certificate and a cheque for £100.

The next three performers displayed immense talents on violin, piano and voice in the form of Kenyi Wang (violin)  -   Jennifer Sarah Mu (piano)  &  Emma Hopegood (Soprano).   Once again Elizabeth Ritchie highlighted their particular talents.  The superb technique and playing of  Bach`s Allegro assai - Sonata in C Major by Kenyi Wang  -   the very moving performance of Sonata in C Minor "Pathetique" Op 13 - third movement (Beethoven) by Jennifer Sarah Mu and the beautiful singing of Emma Hopegood with her varied programme and finale of Vissi D`Arte (I live for Art) by Puccini.   All these performers received warm response from the audience and a certificate and £50 for their performance.

With the benefit of hind sight, the final two performances  were, in the opinion of the adjudicators, to be the top performances of the evening - perhaps a case of "cream rising to the top" or "saving the best `til last".  Whatever, without doubt the performances by Simon Buck (piano) and Emil Huckle-Kleve (violin), were from the top draw and the adjudicators admitted that they had an extremely hard decision
to separate them.  But they had to - and on the night Emil won the vote to be placed 1^st with Simon 2^nd.

The audience however, just had to enjoy the amazing talents of both.  Simon has just left school to attend college and his playing has matured in a few weeks.  His performance of Sonata No.4   by Scriabin was simply breath-taking, leaving many music lovers staggered by his courage to even consider attempting the piece.    Certainly a name to watch for the future.  Simon received a certificate and £200, plus the runner-up shield generously presented by Portishead Rotary in celebration of 25yrs.

And what of Emil ?   At the age of 15yrs, this young man never ceases to amaze.  Of  the three pieces he played, Watercolour No.2. `Sunrise with Mist` had been composed  for him by local composer, Martin Pring.   His performance had the audience spell-bound into total silence -  the proverbial pin could have dropped and the whole world would have heard it.  The other two pieces just added weight to the massive range of this young man`s talent.    In this day of  "The X Factor" from very questionable talent, this young man not only has the "X" factor, but "Y" and "Z" as well !
Emil received a cheque for £300, a certificate and the John Truslove plate, which goes to the school of the winning entrant, in this case Cotham Community School.

The prizes were presented by Assistant District Governor Nigel Bishop and Elizabeth Ritchie was assisted in the adjudication duties by Paul Bambrough and Nicholas Thorn.

Ernie Bussell.          Chairman Youth Opportunities

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