On the afternoon of Sunday 9th May, Francesco in Year 9 apprehensively waited to take centre stage for his performance at the Berkshire Young Musician of the Year Finals, in Windsor.
One of 11 finalists from a pool of nearly 150 string players, Music Scholar, Francesco, his family, and friends at Leighton Park, delighted in watching him participate in the 13-15 category, through a live stream.
After tuning into the performance of Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Johannes Brahms and Violin Concerto No. 4 in G major (Hob. Vlla/4), Movement I by Joseph Haydn, Head, Matthew Judd, remarked “Congratulations to Francesco! …it was just marvellous. Bravo to you whatever the result: your light and shade as well as your phrasing was wonderful in the pieces. LP is very proud of you.”
Director of Music, Rosemary Scales echoed “Well done to Francesco – what a great performance. His intonation & vibrato I thought were outstanding too. It was so fantastic to be able to watch his performance live via the stream!”
Francesco reflected “My passion for the violin came out when I was seven.” Now close to studying for his GCSEs, his enthusiasm has only grown and is seen in his dedication to the Music Department, “I take part in the School Orchestra directed by Rose, and a Jazz Band with some friends and our Jazz Teacher, Stuart. My school violin teacher is Sue Black. I’m really proud to be a finalist at the Berkshire Young Maestros festival.”
Akin to the values of the School’s Music Department, The Berkshire Young Musician of the Year aims to “inspire, nurture and seek out the wonderful talent of young musicians… and support them into the future.”
Jonathan Burnett, Head of Strings for Berkshire Maestros and Compère at the event commented “We have had an amazing competition this year in very difficult circumstances.”
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