Young musicians take centre stage at award night

Taradale High School students, Ethan Yong (left) and Jacob Pope took out first and second place respectively at the 2018 NZFunds Hawke's Bay Young Musician of the Year. Photo / Warren Buckland.

A love of classical music was fostered at a young age for the newly crowned winner of the
2018 NZFunds Hawke's Bay Young Musician of the Year.

And while, at first, pianist Ethan Yong found it a chore, 10 years into playing the instrument, he couldn't think of doing anything else.

The Taradale High School student was recognised on Friday night at The Blyth Performing Arts Centre, along with five other finalists.

And despite practicing, he was still surprised at his success, not only taking out the top prize, but also "Top Pianist" and the Peter and Valerie Williams Cup.

"You never know because no matter how good or bad you are, sometimes the adjudicator might like something different."

He was nervous prior to taking the stage.

"I didn't want to make a fool of myself on stage but as I got closer, I became more confident because I got better at my pieces."

Friend and fellow Taradale High School student Jacob Pope was second, and was awarded Top Instrumentalist as well as the Walter and Beryl Gollner Memorial Cup for his guitar skills.

"I went into it expecting nothing ... my goal was to play and see what happens," the 17-year-old said.

Pope has been playing the guitar for only the past four years, but has always had a love of music - growing up listening to his grandad playing classical music on the guitar.

Taradale High School Head of Music and Drama, Jane Pierard said both students were "fine musicians" who are "hugely involved in music in the school".

"There are more and more musicians coming into the school every year, and we couldn't ask for better role models than students like Ethan and Jacob."

Pierard said the success of the students who take part in events like this are a "huge tribute" to their private instrumental or itinerant teachers.

"They inspire their students to work with the sort of discipline this level of performance requires and supports them in becoming mature and skilled musicians. Couple this with the nurturing and learning that typically takes place in any school music department, and there has to be some great performance happening."

Napier Girls' High School student Bridget Page was third, while fellow student Isabella Holt won the Adjudicator's Award and June Armstrong Memorial Prizes for non-placed finalists, along with Bryan Liem, Bonnie Allen.

They both practised for several hours a day and Holt recommends the competition to anyone thinking about being a musician.

Each performance was 20 minutes long and judged by adjudicator Katherine Austin.

Organiser Rhondda Poon said to select the finalists the adjudicators had a points system based on a range of criteria and for the finals the adjudicator looked at a number of aspects of the performance that range from the technical to musicianship.

The event has been running since 1984 and is sponsored by NZFunds and Share, as well as anonymous sponsors who fund the prize money.