RGS musicians prove their star quality

TWELVE Ripon Grammar School musicians proved their star quality at a competitive music festival.

A magnificent seven students came away with winners’ trophies, having topped their categories in the Ripon Young Musician of the Year Competition, with a further five students highly commended by the judges.

In addition, talented sixth form singer Theo Kendrick has been selected to go through to the district stage of the popular contest, organised by the Rotary and Inner Wheels clubs, with the first stage held at St John’s Church, Sharow.

Alongside Theo, James Tabor (voice and piano), Riya Nair and Laurie Roberts (piano duet), Xander Galloway-Gee (voice and piano), Gerard Tam (piano) and Benjamin Freeman (voice), won their categories.

Sofia Konfortov (piano duet), Elizabeth Massey (tuba), Ethan Kendrick (voice and piano), Lucas Wong (piano) and Sophie Holton (voice) were highly commended.

RGS director of music Michael Barker said: "We are so pleased for and proud of the students who participated. Ripon Grammar School did itself proud this year with the sheer number of winners and commendations showing the high level of talent and dedication of our students."

One of the winners, Gerard Tam, who also came away with the European Piano Teachers'  Association trophy for Piano Performance, first took up piano at aged three and has achieved his Grade 8 in the instrument.

The 12-year-old from Knaresborough, who is aiming for a career in medicine, played Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in B flat for the competition.

“I was elated to win,” he said.

Laurie Roberts, from Bishop Monkton, was delighted to share a trophy with Riya Nair for their piano duet: “I was so happy because we had worked hard on the piece,” he said.

The 13-year-old, who began piano lessons aged seven, also plays the trumpet and guitar and is working towards his Grade 4 in piano.

An aspiring vet, who plays in the school’s guitar ensemble and sings with the man choir, he plans to take music at GCSE: “I want to become good enough at music to enjoy playing when I’m older."

Xander Galloway-Gee was thrilled to win his section (Up to Y8)  in piano and voice, singing Purcell's Music for a While and playing Minuet and Trio by Haydn.

The 13-year-old, from Ripon, has been playing piano since he was four and is about to sit his Grade 5 exam, alongside his Grade 8 in singing: "There was stiff competition in the section and class as a whole this year," he said.

Recently appointed head boy chorister at Ripon Cathedral for the second year, he added: "We're about to start our busiest time of year. I'm looking forward to singing at concerts and services all through December, including RGS's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols when I'll be singing with the Man Choir."

Lucas Wong, who was highly commended for his piano performance of Allegro Molto by Kuhlau, also plays cello and trombone.

The 12-year-old, from Ripon, began playing piano aged four and has achieved Grade 5 in the instrument.

The aspiring engineer, who performs with the school’s junior strings ensemble, hopes to play in a professional orchestra one day, said: “I was very proud to be highly commended. My piano teacher and family were all there and gave me loads of support.”

Winners (top photo): RGS students left - Jamie Tabor, Gerard Tam, Riya Nair, Xander Galloway-Gee, Laurie Roberts and Theo Kendrick Photographer: HELEN TABOR

Highly commended: Lucas Wong, above

Winner: Xander won his section (Up to Y8) of the Two Skills class