Three win music scholarships

Three young musicians from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music were awarded scholarships at a special concert held at Pearl Beach Memorial Hall on May 16.

The hall was filled to a capacity crowd as pianist Henry Chan, guitarist Ben Mellor and saxophonist Chris Higgins were each recognised for their outstanding music talents.

Other participants, aged from 13 to 16 years of age, performed an exciting and varied program under the direction of Mr Christopher Bearman, principal of the conservatorium, while accomplished pianist Allyne Brislan provided a brilliant and sensitive accompaniment to the young instrumentalists.

Henry Chan, 13, was awarded the Irvine Family Piano Scholarship.

He delighted the audience with his beautiful playing (from memory) Schubert's Impromptus No. 4 in A Major.

In presenting the award on behalf of his family, Mr Jim Irvine said that "he had never heard the piano played so lovingly and sensitively.

According to Pearl Beach Progress Association communications officer Ms Lynne Lillico, the piano was a gift from the family in memory of their parents Alex and Helen Irvine who were among the earliest Pearl Beach settlers.

"Ben Mellor won the Pearl Beach Scholarship with his virtuosity with sensitive playing (from memory) of pieces by Stanley Myers and Villa-Lobos.

"The second place Pearl Beach Scholarship went to Chris Higgins who played with confidence and a flair performance items by Villa-Lobos and Matthew Hindson.

"Other performers included violinist Sarah Whyte who provided a beautiful sound in her playing of works by Bach and Kreisler.

"Flute tone and artistic showmanship was shown Kirrilee Clarke's playing works by Handel and Doppier.

"Lewis Wand produced deep sounds from his cello, playing pieces by Brahms and Ross Edwards.

"Elizabeth Woolnough, on viola, played pieces by Handoshkin and Gordon Jacob with an expressive warmth for her instrument's rich tone.

"The adjudicator for the competition and member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Felicity Tsai said that the standard was extremely high, making it difficult to choose a winner and runner-up."

Press release, 20 May 2010 Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association