“The goal isn’t perfection – the idea is to make music. That’s a healthy attitude and not just for musicians.”
Wednesday, 8 June heralded the second year of the fabulous Piano Competition at Waverley College, now an annual fixture in the calendar of the Music Department. Open to students enrolled in our College’s Instrumental Music Program and those taking lessons externally, the afternoon competition delivered an opportunity for young pianists to showcase their playing in front of accomplished invited guest adjudicator, Mr Evan Streater.
Mr Evan Streater
Performance opportunities for musicians are very valuable. They are especially important for piano players because in school bands and ensembles, there are limited opportunities for piano and keyboard players to ‘find a home’!
Public performance in front of families and peers provides opportunities to build confidence and performing skills, as well as the incentive to learn and prepare repertoire to the highest level possible. Hearing other students in the same area of study is priceless, because it means students can compare performances and receive authentic feedback from an expert adjudicator.
23 students stepped up to be part of the Piano Competition this year, sharing their music with a small but appreciative audience of families and students in the PAC Recital Room. Submitting themselves before Mr Streater, students performed repertoire across a variety of genres, in four Divisions. From classic rock, blues, film scores, ragtime, musicals, folk and classical, there really was something for everyone.
The standard of playing by students across all Divisions was excellent. Congratulations to each and every boy who bravely faced the audience to introduce their piece/s and play for our listening pleasure.
Despite extremely challenging time constraints, Mr Streater listened critically whilst quickly and calmly writing detailed reports on 33 performance pieces. Truly remarkable! This wonderful event concluded with his brief but valuable remarks to our winning pianists, and the charismatic Ms Jaz Dolso awarding the prizes across each Division.
Congratulations Prize Winners
- Division 1 – Ryan Loughrey (Year 5)
- Division 2 – Maxim Service (Year 5)
- Division 3 – Lieme Chan (Year 9)
- Division 4 – Evan Service (Year 7)
Waverley sincerely thanks Mr Streater for his expert adjudication, proficient piano tutor Mr Barry Kenny, Head of Department Mr Chris Balkizas for initially strategising the concept, PAC Coordinator Ms Keiran Kossenberg for her incredible administrative assistance, faculty member Ms Jaz Dolso and Thomas Jackson-Whitlock, Year 9 for enthusiastically compèring the event, and Ms Michelle Rollins and Mr Chris Blenkinsopp for their amiable and steadfast support.
Ms Keiran Kossenberg and Ms Vanessa Witton
Performing Arts Centre Coordinator
Marketing Communications Specialist
E: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
E: vwitton@waverley.nsw.edu.au
