In recent years the Piano Competition has become somewhat de rigeur for our more advanced pianists and this year was no exception.  Our adjudicator this year was Mr. Richard West, Director of Music at Christ College, Brecon, who heard fifteen performances, some of which gave the Steinway on which the competition takes place a serious run for its money.  The eclectic programme included works by Carroll, Einaudi, Mozart, Debussy, Cimarosa, Schubert, Chaminade, Mendelssohn, Kabelevsky and Brahms, and it was a real pleasure to see the care taken by the performers, and also to hear the musicianship they invested into their performances.

Very stylish performances were given by all the players, but exceptionally so by Charlie (Private Detective by Philip Lane), William (Impromptu in G flat by Schubert) and William S (Deuxième Arabesque by Debussy).  The deportment of the boys was particularly fine this year with many of them electing to introduce their piece.  First prize eventually was won by Jordan for his account of Chopin’s Berceuse op. 57 and second prize went to Oliver for his very satisfying rendition of Debussy’s La Puerta del Vino.