A Week Of Fantastic Musical Events Culminated With Singer Of The Year

On Friday 13 March six finalists competed for the Christ College Instrumentalist of the Year, with the first prize going to Gwen James (violin, Year 12). Other prize winners were Hamish Sennett (cello, Year 11) for his performance of music written pre 1815 and also Rebecca Cronin (violin, Year 7) for her performance of a piece written post 1915. The adjudicator for the evening was Kevin Price, Head of Brass & Percussion at RWCMD. The crystal trophy and prizes were presented by competition sponsor and Old Breconian, Mr W Hugh Phillips.

On Saturday 14 March, the Christ College Chapel Choir combined with the Brecon Singers under the baton of Director of Music, Jonathan Ling, for a performance of Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore K339 at Brecon Cathedral.The soloists were Isabel Bridgeman (soprano, Year 13), Rachel Dreese (alto), Oliver Price (tenor, Year 13) and Meilir Jones (bass).The choir were accompanied by Stephen Power (organ).

In the first half of the programme, the Chapel Choir, conducted by Director of Choral Music, Jonathan Cooper, performed items from their recent tour to Prague, including Beati quorum by Stanford, And I saw a new heaven by Bainton, Locus Iste by Bruckner and Cantique de Jean Racine by Rutter. Baritone soloist Trystan Williams (Year 12) sang two solos by Quiter: O mistress mine and Blow, blow thou winter wind.

Friday 20th six pupils competed for the coveted Lloyds Bank Black Horse trophy as they battled it out in front of a packed audience. The adjudicator was Angela Livingstone, Head of Opera and Vocal Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The finalists, Isabel Bridgeman, Oliver Price, Charlotte Guinan, Trystan Williams, Phoebe Sussmann and Ben Masters performed with poise, passion and confidence. After valuable feedback to each candidate the winner, Soprano Isabel Bridgman, was announced. Congratulations to all involved, particularly Ben and Phoebe, two of our youngest competitors in Year 9.