THE 102nd Taunton Festival of the Arts is the Music Festival, which takes place during the first two weeks of February at Taunton School, Temple Methodist Church and Queen’s College, has got underway.

The event aims to recognise the best musicianship from across the area.
And piano and keyboard secretary, Gwynneth Flitters, said the response this year had been tremendous.

"The Piano Day, held at Taunton School, which needed an extra morning to fit in all the numbers of pianists, was extremely enjoyable, and people stayed on after their classes had finished in order to listen to the excellent adjudicator, Alan McLean," she said. 

"He managed to be both energetic and sensitive, and every student felt they mattered.

"Instead of merely talking, he ran the classes like a series of mini-workshops, bringing children back to the piano to iron out problems. Teachers and parents were full of praise for this approach.

"He gave four Outstanding marks and 46 Distinctions and praised the standard of teaching in our area." 

The Wind Day, at Temple Methodist Church, was also hailed a success.

"In the morning lots of different shapes and sizes of recorders were played by enthusiastic youngsters; in the afternoon, the Taunton Children’s Orchestra gave a splendid performance of their varied programme, some playing instruments nearly as big as themselves," said wind secretary, Hilary Daniel.

"The brass and woodwind classes followed with some fine playing, especially in the recently included Jazz classes. The day concluded with a lively performance of the Junction 25 Concertina Band, who gained distinction in both classes.

"The highly experienced adjudicator, James Stretton presided over the day with kindly and constructive comments to each and every performer."


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Strings Classes and Instrumental Groups were held over two days at Temple Methodist Church. 

Meanwhile, there were several worthy winners of new trophies for Guitar Classes, generously donated by teacher Feroze Pomeroy, with Millie Baker winning both the Intermediate Guitar Trophy and the 12 years and under Guitar Trophy, and Chester Johnson, who was awarded a distinction by adjudicator Rachel Greenwood, which won him the Junior Guitar Trophy.

The only Outstanding award over the two days was given to a truly outstanding player, 10 year old Poppy McGhee, who also achieved several distinctions for her violin and ‘cello playing. She came away with the Hamilton Lawrence Cup, the Mills Cup and the Transitional Trophy Cup.

Chard & Ilminster News:


And the winners are...

Piano classes: Beginners, 7 years and under, Grace Liang (Medal Award), Beginners 8 years and under, Hanbyeol Park (Medal Award), Beginners, 9 years and over, Leon Hall, (Medal Award), solo piano 8 years and under, Hatty Mars, (Medal Award), solo piano 10 years and under, Emily Ogle, (Medal Award), solo piano 12 years and under, Tommy Hill, (Blackdown Cup), solo piano 13 years and under, a piece by a Baroque composer other than JS Bach, Ben Shattock (Medal Award), solo piano 18 years and under, a piece by a Baroque composer other than Bach, Ben Shattock (Medal Award), solo piano 13 years and under, Ben Shattock (Medal Award), solo piano 14 years and under, Hao Chin (Kingsfield Cup), solo piano 16 years and under, Daniel Seow (Portman Cup), solo piano 18 years and under, Tamina Pain (W L Reed Cup), Open Piano Solo, Stephanie Cheung (Tim Harrison Trophy), solo piano, 13 years and under, any piece by JS Bach, Elliot Owen (Bach Shield)
Piano solo by Grade: ABRSM or Trinity College: Grade 1 Amelie Kenyon Strickland and Anthony Chihota, joint winners, (Medal Awards); Grade 2 JoshuaWilcox, (Medal Award); Grade 3 Hetty Christopher (Medal Award); Grade 4 Jamie Hill (Medal Award); Grade 5 Tommy Hill (Medal Award); Grade 6 Hao Chin (Medal Award); Grade 8 Megan Too (Medal Award). Solo Jazz 12 years and under, Ben Shattock (Medal Award), solo Jazz 14 years and under Ben Shattock (Medal Award), solo Jazz 16 years and under, Ben Shattock (Medal Award),
Piano Duet 10 years and under, Georgina Ambler & Charlotte Ambler (Junior Piano Duet Cup), 14 years and under, Tommy Hill & Jamie Hill (Alison Gibson Trophy), 18 years and under, Valerie Tsoi & Chrystal Cheung (Wilkinson Cup)
Piano Sight Reading 13years and under, Ellen Steward, (David Horwood Cup).
Music composition 11 years and under, Charlotte Ambler (Voucher Award), 16 years and under, Crystal Cheung (Voucher Award).
The Chapman Cup for the most promising pianist was awarded to Hatty Mars.
Wind classes: Descant Recorder: Beginners, 18 months tuition or less, Saffron Painter (Medal Award), 8 years and under, Freyja Shaw (Junior Solo Recorder Cup), 10 years and under, Poppy McGhee (Weirfield Cup), 12 years and under, Kate Jackson (Jackson Cup).
Solo Treble recorder, Beginners 18 months tuition or less, Sophia Chaudhary Dean (Medal Award), 10 years and under, Kate Jackson (Junior Solo Treble Recorder Trophy), 12 years and under, Kate Jackson, (Solo Treble Recorder Trophy).
Any recorder, 10 years and under, Frances Jameson, 14 years and under, Poppy McGhee (Berry Cup), Open, Poppy McGhee (Medal Award) 
Duet, any recorder, 8 years and under, Emily Hill & Lauren Jackson, 10 years and under, Kate Jackson & Emily Ward, (Duet Recorder Trophy), Open, Kate Jackson & Estelle Jackson, (Medal Award).
Recorder Ensemble, 10 years and under, Trull School A Team,(Junior Recorder Trophy).
Recorder Consort, 14 years and under, The Magic Sprinkles, (Sutton Cup).
Brass Solo 10 years and under, Hetty Christopher (Paul Billing Cup),
12 years and under, Matthew Osborne (Wagstaff Trophy).
Woodwind solo beginners, 18 months tuition or less, Esme Knight (Evelyn Smith Cup), 10 years and under, Kate Jackson, (Rickards Trophy), 12 years and under, Abigail Hopwood (Intermediate Trophy), 14 years and under, Georgina Simms (Stallard Trophy), 16 years and under, Charlotte Smith, (Trevett Cup).
Jazz, 10 years or under, Eliza Hopwood (Medal Award), 12 years or under, Oscar Hinds, (Medal Award).
Woodwind duets 10 years and under, Ruby George & Bryony Griffiths (Medal Award), 12 years and under, joint winners; Ellen Steward & Abigail Hopwood, Oskar Hinds &Toby Haste, (Medal Award).
Free Reeds Band – any age, J 25 Concertina Band. 
Free Reeds Open Solo, Claire Wren
Free Reeds Open Duet, Jan Usher & Roger Campbell
Junior Orchestra or Band, 13 years and under, Taunton Children’s Orchestra (Talbot Cup), 
String classes: solo beginners, 18 months tuition or less, Bryony Griffiths (Primary Trophy), 8 years and under, Genevieve Altoft (Elementary Trophy),
10 years and under, Poppy Mc Ghee (Transitional Trophy),12 years and under, Benjamin Davies,(Keynes Wyatt Trophy), 14 years and under, Ruth Hancock (Cavey Cup), 16 years and under Annie Tiso (Nesta Franklyn Trophy), 18 years and under, Poppy McGhee (Hamilton Lawrence Cup), Open solo, Annie Tiso, (Trewin Cup), 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Century composers, 10 years and under Poppy McGhee (Mills Cup), 14 years and under, Jemima Lawson-Johnston, (Thompson Trophy).
String Duet; Both players under 11, Ben Davies &Hettie Chippendale (Medal Award), Both players under 15, Hollie Eccles & Ruth Hancock (Medal Award).
Teacher & Pupil Duet, Rowan Keyte & Rachael Parvin (Medal Award) 
Harp: Elementary Solo Grades 1-3, Poppy Chedzoy (Medal Award).
Chamber Music: 11years and under, Queen’s College Junior Trumpet Ensemble (Williamson Cup), 13 years and under, King’s Hall Flute Group (Elementary Chamber Music Trophy) 16 years and under HCYM Brass Group (Intermediate Chamber Music Trophy), 18 years and under, Suzuki Masterclass (Hollyoak Advanced Chamber Music Trophy)
Instrumental Ensemble:16 and under, HCYM Orchestra (Haydn Lewis Memorial Trophy).
Group Tuition: 11 years and under, King’s Hall Junior Strings (Medal Award)
Guitar classes: Solo beginners 18 months tuition or less, Samuel Fletcher (Beginners Guitar Trophy)
Acoustic Guitar Solo 7 years and under, Alex Fish (7 years and under Guitar Trophy); 10 years and under, Chester Johnson (Junior Guitar Trophy); 12 years and under, Millie Baker (12 years and under Guitar Trophy); 14 years and under, Millie Baker (Intermediate Guitar Trophy); 16 years and under, Leila Aladin (16 years and under Guitar Trophy).
Family Music : Estelle, Graham, Kate and Lauren Jackson (Medal Award)
Parent & Child Duet: Alana & Jackie Cottey (Medal Award)