June 24th 2018
Sunday 24th June saw the eleventh annual Patrick Shelley Music Competition for advanced instrumentalists (Grade 7 and above) take place with the acclaimed conductor, former Organ Scholar of Clare College, Cambrdige, and Guildhall Head of Opera, Dominic Wheeler judging. The day included over fifty performances of a hugely diverse musical scope, ranging from Haydn, Clementi, Dowland, Gershwin, Fats Waller, and even a number from Noel Coward’s Sigh No More.
The performances started with the strings category and saw Joss Nelson ATCL (U6e) and James Pyman (U6e) awarded the prize jointly for their interpretations of Svendsen’s Romance and Elgar’s Concerto in E minor respectively. Dominic Wheeler praised their interpretation and musicianship, mentioning how well practiced and prepared they both were.
This was then followed by the highly competitive piano class, each player stretching themselves to their technical limits in a wide array of musically demanding pieces. Sam MacDonald (U6c), fresh from being awarded his ATCL with Distinction, won the category with an assured and well articulated performance of the first movement from Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique; a staple of any serious pianist’s repertoire.
Having decamped to the Chapel, the organ class was held with Dominic Wheeler sitting in the organ loft—scrutinising both the competitors’ interpretative decisions and technical command of this notoriously demanding tracker instrument. This category in particular proved to be a close call, with Josh Cook (5f) taking the prize for his grand interpretation of Bach’s magisterial Fugue in F minor (BWV 534).
The brass category was won by long-serving Swing Band bass trombonist Henry Jones (U6g) for a stylish account of Jules Semler-Collery’s mellifluous Barcarolle et Chanson Bachique, exhibiting a strong tone on the instrument. Wheeler added that he commended all players for their playing, speaking ‘as a father to two horn players’!
The woodwind category was similarly competitive, featuring no fewer than four ATCL holders and even one LTCL. Peter Folkes ATCL (U6a) and Sam MacDonald ATCL (U6c) jointly won the class for a beautifully phrased interpretation of the second movement from Brahm’s Clarinet Sonata, and an intensely passionate account of two movements from Quate’s Light of Sothis, respectively.
Being a particular strength of the school, the singing class saw an intensely competitive field across opera, art song, and oratorio. On account of his particular focus on communication and storytelling in his singing, the prize was awarded to William Banks (L6b) for a poised performance of the account from the Genesis moment at which Man is brought into being in Haydn’s English language version of The Creation.
The overall winner of the Patrick Shelley Cup was Sam MacDonald. In his presentation of the cup, Wheeler praised Sam’s tone on the piano and his outstanding technique.
Elliott Park
