Congratulations to all our young musicians who entered the Newark Young Musician Competition over the past week.

We had four performances in the final last night at the BarnbyGate Methodist Church; Julia Higgins on cello playing 'Bourree by Muffat' and on tenor recorder playing "Shrimp in the Shade" by Sarah Watts. Benjamin Tranter on violin  playing 'Full Moon' by K&H Colledge  and  Teegan  Harrison -Goodger on descant recorder playing "Goings on"-by Sarah Watts.

The standard was very high and there were only 17 finalists selected from all those children who started out in Newark. Julia was on first and played a 'blinder' with a stunningly beautiful recital on her cello (when it's good you can hear a hush in the audience), then it was Benjamin on violin and again he was brilliant (even though he is his own worst critic, Ben you're great !), Julia again (the only Newark child to make the final in two classes) on recorder ,showing her fantastic versatility . Finally Teegan, whose use of tone, her interpretation and sensitivity to the piece simply 'Wowed' judges and audience'.

In the meantime our orchestra had opened with two lovely pieces, such a big orchestra now with added percussion . The choir soared to new heights with two breathtaking pieces sung in two parts, with an opening solo from Lucy Brown in 'Winter Lights' and 'I don't want to live on the Moon' (I was crying inside, beautiful pieces!). The judges went out to deliberate , came in to give all the competitors their finalist medals.

Then the anouncements:

Julia Higgins third place...Teegan Harrison-Goodger second place and an undeniably brilliant pianist from Norwell first. A proud evening for Mrs Greeley and Mr Higgins ( brilliant accompanist on piano), Miss Hasche (they work so hard for your children ) and we should never forget Mr Pickersgill for all his recorder work...our school now well established for consistent musical excellence in Newark and our Academy Free Tuition  policy in it's second year of turning out great musicians.

WE ARE MASSIVELY PROUD OF YOU ALL  CHILDREN AND STAFF!