Written by Lexi, Year 9
Sunday 4th February was the last day of the Oxford Music Festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. I have participated in this Festival for several years now, starting when I was at the OHS Prep school, with Mrs. Taylor’s Chamber Choir and Mr. Lovell-Meade’s wind band, and have always valued the excellent advice and support from the esteemed adjudicators. This year I was very excited to play for George Caird, an illustrious oboist who has had an outstanding career playing with orchestras and as a soloist, in addition to teaching at some of the country’s top conservatoires, who have provided me with helpful feedback on my playing.
I entered three classes. The first two were solo classes, and the final class was with my fellow year 9 clarinettist Emilia N. I first competed in the Under-15 woodwind solo class, performing The Lorito Caprice by Gomez. In the second class, I added the third movement of the Horowitz Sonatina.
While solo classes are always a bit nerve-wracking, the overall atmosphere from fellow players and their teachers, family and friends was very supportive. It is great to hear other woodwind players of my own age, and very useful to get a chance to perform with an accompanist and receive expert feedback.
The final class of the day, which rounded off the entire festival, was the Under-15 Chamber Ensemble class, where Emilia and I performed the first movement of the Krommer Concerto for two clarinets. We have been lucky enough to use the school practice rooms to perfect our playing together, with the support and guidance of our music teacher, Mrs Cockburn. At the end of the festival, I was delighted to be awarded an Outstanding certificate for my solo class and Emilia and I were also awarded an Outstanding certificate in our ensemble class.
The festival culminated in a prizewinner’s concert at Wolfson College, attended by the Lord Mayor of Oxford. Emilia and I were honoured to be asked to perform, and were awarded the Colin Touchin Memorial Cup and I was awarded the Cecil Aron Cup. The festival was a fantastic opportunity to perform, and I am really grateful for the support of the school music department.