More than 800 musicians star in New Milton Music Festival

MORE than 800 musicians raised the roof as New Milton Music Festival once again showcased a wealth of local talent.

Arnewood School hosted the closing gala concert after musicians of all ages and standards, choral, vocal and instrumental, performed before professional adjudicators, writes Mark Harland.

The 200 entries performed before professional judges in a major organisational feat spanning a week coordinated by Simon Crutch and Linda Harland with the support and enthusiasm of many local schools and music teachers.

And the best were rewarded with more than 120 trophies, salvers and medals presented in categories such as beginners piano, choral musical theatre, bowed instruments, grade 8 percussion and large mixed ensembles.

The festival opened at the Durlston Prep and Senior School in Barton, hosting mostly solo performers, with the Arnewood School the following weekend offering the capacity for the mass of performers, instruments, parents and teachers over both Saturdays prior to the adult choral competition and gala concert on the final Sunday.

Providing vital logistics as usual were: New Milton Lions Club; the Highcliffe, Bransgore and New Forest Rotary clubs; New Forest Orchestra; and New Life Church.

The line-up for the gala concert was selected from class winners and others put forward by adjudicators for a balanced programme finalised, written and printed just hours before the event.

Festival audiences watched in delight as tiny hands stretched across strings, holes or keys and, moments later, a senior citizen might take to the stage for the first time in their life, with similar determination to entertain.

Of the 20 performances on the night, the diversity of talent was illustrated by the engaging interpretation of Greensleeves by 12-year-old harpist Beatrice Wade and The Sound of Bells, played by George Broster.

At just 10 years of age, Ariel Yanne delivered an accomplished piano performance, with much applause for Liuyang River played with a charming Oriental feel.

One of several group contributions came from Highcliffe Brass Ensemble, with a bright rendition of Smoke on the Water. Zadie Lanzino concluded the evening with an agile performance of the 1st movement of Mozart’s 4th violin concerto in D.

Mayor Cllr David Hawkins said: "All the performers were brilliant, and I was so impressed with their talent and dedication to their music, it was a delightful occasion. I applaud you all for hosting this amazing festival every year."

Class winners:

Piano – Oliver Vincent and Darcey Juniper, Freddie Fleming, Mae Graham, Molly Lightbody, Robyn Cooney, Lottie Tindell, Ellis Mann, Harry Payne, Elwood Ive, Isla Norris, Ariel Yanne.

Adult vocal – Jillian Ireland, Sarah Miller, Sarah Miller and James Penney.

Strings – Ruth Simpkins, Zadie Lanzino, Penny Jackman, Walhampton String Ensemble, Twynham String Ensemble, Simpkins Family Trio, Tullagh Junior Ensemble, Beatrice Wade, Katie Powell, Anna Murray, Leia Durston, Estelle Murray, Ava Bowden, Ryan Wong, Ellis Mann, Solomon Simpkins.

Percussion – Twynham Percussion Ensemble, Ethan Lomax, Alex Beaton, Eddie Marshall, Ivan Bannister.

Guitar – India Rose, Esme Tomkinson and Freddie Gregory, Phoebe Artis-Waller, Reuben White, Ethan Lomax, George Broster, Henry Clayson.

Mixed ensembles – Highcliffe Jazz Ensemble and Twynham Orchestra and Highcliffe Percussion Ensemble, Twynham School Junior Band and Durlston Orchestra, St Peter’s Primary School, UT Funk (Twynham Jazz Band).

Brass – Highcliffe Brass Ensemble and Twynham Brass, Matilda Marshall, Evie Barrow, Katie Powell, Chloe Cai, Oliver Lush-Camps, Silver Brass, Durlston Brass Ensemble, Katie and Sophie Powell, Katy Bacon and Margaret DeVekey, Jonathan Lush-Camps.

Junior choral – TGS and TS Choir, Durlston Junior Choir, Durlston Chamber Choir

Woodwind – The Flute Group, Silver Wind, Durlston Recorder Ensemble, Poppy Brading, Myah Low, Emily Silver, Molly Davis, Danny Beaton, Willow Silver, Hannah Miller, Elsie Smith.

Composition – Tiosa Ekhator, Sam Crouch, Bella Graham

Junior vocal – Evie Barrow, Ella Adams, Leonora McCarthy, Poppy Emms, Hannah and Sarah Miller

Adult choral – Sing People Sing, Cabin Crew