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More than 400 musicians from 17 schools across Bahrain came together this week to share their talents and compete for the trophies during a recently held student music festival.
The St Christopher’s Music Festival took place from April 28 to 30 at the school’s Saar and Isa Town campuses in more than 14 categories.
“The festival aims to draw together young musicians of all levels from schools throughout Bahrain, to participate in a friendly, competitive musical event,” the school’s music director Dennis Haggerty told GulfWeekly.
“It provides a platform for our young musicians to share their considerable talents and celebrate success.
“This year, we introduced a new non-competitive class for Infant Choirs, and the Advanced Level for musicians at Grade 8 or above continued this year along with Rock and Pop Ensemble.”
Solo categories at this year’s competition also included Voice, Piano and Instrumental across four levels of musical accomplishment.
In addition, group categories included large and small instrumental and vocal ensembles.
“In the solo category, medals for first, second and third place were awarded for Piano, Instrumental and Vocal for each of the four levels,” the organisers added.
“The winners of each category progressed to the Grand Final on Tuesday, April 30 and competed to achieve the overall level winner.
“The top two performances in each ensemble category automatically progressed to the Grand Final and competed against each other for the winner’s cup or shield.
“Certificates were awarded at the Grand Final to all competitors who placed first, second and third in all categories to recognise their outstanding achievement.”
St Chris student Mohamed Alnajjar wowed judges with his piano performance, winning the Advanced Level Music trophy, while Thomas Valverde Kosinsky (St Chris) took home the Level 3, Rayyan BinZaiman (Tubli Boys Primary School) the Level 2 and Yeva Puckhuva (British School Bahrain) the Level 1 trophies in the same category.
Lahan Choirs (St Chris) topped the Primary Large Vocal Ensemble category, while St Chris Senior Wind Band brought home the Primary Large Instrumental Ensemble trophy.
Rayyan and Ranim, from the Tubli Boys Primary School and Ibn Khuldoon School, won the Small Instrumental Ensemble trophy, while Vaani Sethi and Amyra Anand (St Chris) took the Primary Small Vocal Ensemble award.
St Chris Senior Wind Band also won the Secondary Large Instrumental Ensemble trophy, and their school mates Yasmeen Majed and Mohammed Alnajjar took the Secondary Small Instrumental Ensemble trophy.
Treble Trouble (St Chris) topped the Secondary Small Vocal Ensemble trophy, while the Jawhara choir won the Secondary Large Vocal Ensemble trophy.
In the standalone Rock and Pop competition, Yeva Puckhuva (British School of Bahrain) was recognised as the most promising performer, while The Pop Rocks won the Ensemble trophy.
“The Grand Final was a celebration of music with trophies presented, to the overall winners of each level,” the organisers noted.
This year’s competition was adjudicated by EdExcel A Level music associate examiner Louisa Danmeri, recognised pianist and music teacher Alena Kastsiukevich, Manama Singers lead Jo Diciolla and Jazz Orchestra of Bahrain conductor Scott Rogal.
