Musicians hit right notes for judge in contest

Young vocalists and pianists performing at the annual Rotorua Eisteddfod event have been praised for their high standards.

Organised by the Rotorua-Taupo branch of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers, Saturday's event featured the Nell Trail Junior and Intermediate scholarships and a New Zealand composer class.

Committee member Annamarie Harris said there were 10 contestants for the intermediate and six for the junior scholarship.

The Nell Trail scholarships offer top prizes of $100 for the intermediate section and $60 for the junior section.

The winner of the intermediate section was vocalist Sophie Hurford. Runners-up were pianist Zoe Bixley and vocalist Emma Campbell.

The junior section was won by pianist Millie Russell while two other pianists, Zachariah Jans and Liana Parker, were the runners-up.

The senior section of the New Zealand composer competition was won by pianist Yukako Tanaka while vocalist Eleanor Covell came second and Madeline van Harselar came third.

Pianist Rita Sasha took out the intermediate composer section with fellow pianists Eden Clapperton and Zoe Bixley placing second and third respectively.

Another pianist, Millie Russell, took the junior title in the composer competition while pianist Liana Parker won second and pianist Bethany Cheeseman was placed third.

During the day, more than 80 pianists and vocalists performed more than 150 items, many in the non-competitive section.

Mrs Harris said the day went very well with adjudicator Roy Tankerseley praising the high standard of the performances.