Federico Rocco, Drew Sellis and Oscar Smith have been awarded Music scholarships after outstanding performances in the final concert stage of this year's School competition.
They were chosen as the winners from among the 12 boys who played in the competition concert. The 12 had successfully progressed through two short-listings to reach this stage.
The contest offers Year 7 boys both an opportunity to perform and learn from their performances, as well as financial support for the winners towards their musical development.
“The final few selected to perform in the concert are all to be congratulated,” said QE’s Director of Music, Kieron Howe. “They represent a nucleus of talent in Year 7 of which we are justly proud.”
The Chief Adjudicator for the competition concert was Nadia Lasserson and the accompanist Danielle Salamon. Ms Lasserson studied at the Royal Academy of Music, winning the Manns Memorial Prize. An experienced performer of concertos, lieder and chamber music, she also has wide experience of piano teaching and is an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Federico started playing the piano aged four and has passed all his grade examinations up to and including Grade 6 with distinction. In the final, he performed Danza de la Rosa by Enrique Granados and Sonata VII (from 8 keyboard sonatas) by Thomas Arne.
Drew has been studying alto saxophone for four-and-a-half years and has passed Grade 8 with distinction. He has passed Grade 6 on the piano and sings regularly with the Finchley Children’s Music Group and also sings with the School’s Choir and Chamber Choir, as well as performing with QE’s Senior and Junior Concert Bands and with the QE Junior Saxophone Quartet. For his performance, he chose A Wise Bud by Jason Rebello and Charleston (from Tango and Charleston) by Trevor Hold.
Oscar Smith has been learning clarinet since 2009 and, like Drew, is a member of both the Senior and Junior Concert Bands. For his competition concert performance, he played Black Sheep of the Family by Christopher Norton and Catch It! by James Rae.