Now in its fifteenth year, Oakham School’s annual Piano Duet Festival took place on the afternoon and evening of Thursday 29th February, under the direction of our inspiring and indefatigable Head of Piano, Anne Bolt. How fitting that the event took place on Leap Year Day, so full it was of leaping fingers and hearts leaping with joy to again experience this wonderful celebration of collaborative piano playing!
We were privileged to have Frances Angell from the Junior Guildhall School of Music as our expert and supportive adjudicator, and she was full of praise for both the quality of the pupils’ performance and the teaching of our excellent piano faculty. Her insightful comments after each class (Lower, Intermediate and Upper Grades) offered great advice to our young pianists, as well as specific and positive feedback on every performance throughout. Whether in discussing the use of the pedal, the piano as orchestra, or even the art of stage presentation, Frances’s great musical wisdom and experience in working with young pianists really shone. Her analogy of the melody sitting atop its accompaniment like a diamond on velvet was one of countless invaluable pieces of advice she conveyed.
Frances was fulsome in her praise of all the performers, but some particularly outstanding performances were chosen on the day to be awarded prizes:
LOWER GRADES
1st Prize – Elizabeth (A) & Isabella (L)
2nd Prize – Elodie (A) & Jessica (A)
3rd Prize – Faith (L) & Kaiya (L)
Presentation Prize – William (W) & Toby (B)
INTERMEDIATE GRADES
1st Prize – Gracie (B) & Maddie (Hm)
2nd Prize – Joshua (H) & Dozie (H)
3rd Prize – Annabella (Hm) & Fin (W)
Presentation Prize – Riya (G) & Liv (Hm)
HIGHER GRADES
1st Prize – Ibti (G) & Rosie (B)
2nd Prize – Alexa (St) & Zadie (RH)
3rd Prize – Tomas (Cl) & Anders (C)
Presentation Prize – Prince (S) & Charlie (Cl)
A huge thanks to Ms Bolt and our brilliant team of piano teachers for their encouragement and support of the pupils throughout the year, and congratulations again to all who took part and make the Piano Duet Festival one of the highlights of the Oakham School musical calendar each year.
