Music Festival hits all the right notes
The 2025 Music Festival was the perfect way for our amazingly talented musicians to bring the curtain down on another stunning academic year.
The day, which was adjudicated by Mr Philip Robinson, Director of Music at Birkenhead School, was full of fantastic instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble performances.
The festival began with the First, Second and Third Year Instrumental Solo categories. First Year Norah Lill Bird Bolianatz wowed on the piano with her rendition of Handel’s ‘Allegro In F’, Second Year violinist Christina Wong picked up top spot with Wieniawski’s ‘Polonaise De Concert’, and Third Year drummer Max Reeves thrilled with his performance of ‘War Pigs’ by Black Sabbath.
Max, alongside Theia Birmingham (voice), Lillian Lewis-Clarke (piano) and Anya Wells (trumpet) won the Junior Ensemble category with Perris and Ferakis’ ‘I Will Survive’, whilst Emily Knight’s victory with ‘Waltz Of My Heart’ by Novello in the Junior Vocal Solo category rounded off the morning session.
The afternoon action began with the Middle School Instrumental Solo class and James Caine’s performance of Grøndahl’s ‘Trombone Concerto’ thoroughly impressed Mr Robinson.
Charlotte Sullivan won the Intermediate Vocal Solo category with Tesori’s ‘The Girl In 14G’, and the Fourth Year vocalist was also victorious in the Intermediate Ensemble category as she beautifully performed Rowe’s ‘I Wish I May’ alongside Amelie Manson and Sophie Bates.
In the evening session, the winners from earlier in the day were invited back to perform in between the Senior and Sixth Form categories.
Drummer Will Harvey’s own arrangement of ‘Spacey Groove’ secured top spot in the Sixth Form Instrumental Solo category before Anjali Abraham stunned with her performance of Wildhorn’s ‘Someone Like You’ in the Sixth Form Vocal Solo category.
The final category to be decided was the Senior Ensemble and it was Dan Wood (voice and piano), Zac Dow (cello), Enoch Ajayi (bass guitar) and Will Harvey (drum kit) who took the crown with their version of ‘The Masterplan’ by Oasis.
A day of magnificent music was concluded with the presentation of the trophies.
Dan Wood (flute) won the Woodwind Cup, James Caine (trombone) picked up the Brass Cup and Clara Zelhof (violin) secured the String Cup.
Selwyn Cheung (piano) lifted the Pianoforte Cup, Christina Wong (violin) was named the Most Promising Lower School Musician and the Adjudicator’s Cup was awarded to Dan Wood.
Reflecting on a great day, Director of Music Mr Michael Dow said: “The Music Festival was once again a fantastic celebration of musical achievement across the school.
“The day was filled with wonderful solo and ensemble performances that were greatly enjoyed by audiences throughout the day. Many congratulations to all pupils involved.”
