This year’s Helen Wareham Competition took place on Friday 2nd May and was adjudicated Mr David McKee (Director of Music at Charterhouse). The substantial programme of mini recitals given by four vocalists and seven instrumentalists demonstrated the impressive strength of music in the upper years of the school, and offered a vibrant showcase of talent and musical maturity. It was also thoughtfully curated, featuring works spanning many centuries and diverse styles.
The vocalists impressed with both technical control and expressive range. Ted S. opened with the lively Danza Danza Fanciulla Gentile and gave heartfelt performances of Quilter’s Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal and Schumann’s Widmung. Anise R’s beautifully-communicated recital revisited Widmung, pairing it with Boyle’s introspective Eternity and Howell’s haunting King David. Maisy B. brought vocal colour to Debussy’s Les Cloches and Finzi’s It Was a Lover and His Lass, while Mia P added theatrical flair with Mozart, Amy Beach, and a dramatic rendition of Kurt Weill’s What Good Would the Moon Be?
The instrumental performances featured some impressive string playing. Ava S’s cello work was both intelligent and expressive in Brahms’ Allegretto quasi Menuetto and Boulanger’s Trois Morceaux. Leah S. (also on cello) offered a moving interpretation of Florence Price’s The Deserted Garden and navigated the rhythmic and stylistic complexity of Kapustin’s Elegy with ease. Evelyn G. dazzled on violin with the lyrical Capriccio by Chaminade and the playful Banjo and Fiddle by Kroll. Charlie M. (also on violin) gave an elegant and refined performance of Leclair’s Sarabande and brought vitality to Beethoven’s “Spring” Sonata.
The brass department was represented by trumpeter Rafe B. and bass trombonist Patrick A. Rafe delivered a confident and stylistically varied trumpet set, from Haydn’s classical clarity to the moody jazz tones of Round Midnight. Patrick gave an exciting and dramatic world premiere performance of John Frederick Hudson’s Verdigris Motion, with the composer in attendance. The playing was replete with impressive extended techniques and effects. To finish the programme, Pianist Richard E. brought emotional depth to Brahms’ Intermezzo and power to Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor.
Altogether, the competition was a celebration of young musical excellence, rich in variety, artistry, and expression. The evening demonstrated not only the skill of the performers but their ability to connect deeply with their repertoire and audience. The participants received much well-deserved praise and wise words of constructive advice from the adjudicator.
Thank you to Director of Music, Mr Saxel, who ably took on the monumental task of rehearsing and accompanying the entire programme.
Finally, congratulations to all the musicians, but especially to this year’s victor, Patrick A.
