Samba kids a hit at festival
Susan Lochrie • Published 31 Jan 2012 11:30
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BEAT BACK: St Stephen's High samba band. Below, Courtney McGowan, Jordan Harvey and Lewis McHaffie and, bottom, Nathan Middleton.
INVERCLYDE woke up with a bang on a sleepy Saturday morning as the Music Festival came to life.
The sound of the samba, St Stephen's style, invaded the town hall with some South American flavour lifting the mood and warming everyone up on a cold morning.
And out on the streets the young pipers were filling the air with the sounds of Scotland, as two cultures combined to showcase the very best from our schools in Inverclyde.
Directing the samba from on stage was fifth-year pupil Jordan Harvey, who swapped the football pitch for the stage as he led his merry band.
Higher pupil Jordan, 16, said: "I usually play with Port Glasgow Juniors on a Saturday, but this is great.
"I love samba and it is a great way of getting your stress out.
"It's very loud and you can have so much fun with it."
Judges praised Jordan's leadership as he skilfully moved his band through the music with panache, directing the likes of first year pupils Courtney McGowan and Lewis McHaffie, who were both making their debut at the festival.
Courtney, 12, shaking the go-go bell, said: "I hope to come back again next year - this is great."
There were some highly promising music stars lining up in the samba band, with the talented Nathan Middleton among them.
The 15-year-old St Stephen's student had already taken first prize earlier in the morning in the under-15 section of the drums.
His proud mum Patricia and sister Paula cheered him on from the floor as he impressed judges with his score Tears Don't Fall - Bullet for My Valentine.
It's the second year in a row the drummer, who lives for his music, has taken the top spot.
He said: "I am delighted and it was great to join the others in the samba."
Elsewhere, the fifth and sixth days of the festival did not disappoint as schools throughout Inverclyde sent their very best to the Town Hall.
From string soloist to orchestras, drums and pipes there was a great mix of music on offer and an opportunity for the audience to marvel at what Inverclyde, traditionally strong on the music front, has to offer.
The fantastic festival action carries on this week, with continuing coverage and pictures in the Tele.
Results
SINGING
Class 96 (Irene MacKenzie Tucker Memorial Trophy), Action songs, P2-3: 1, Gourock Primary, Gourock (87); 2, Overton Primary, Greenock (86)
Class 98, Dramatised song, P4-7: Gourock Primary, Gourock (86).
Class 97 (Mary Crawford Memorial Trophy), Action songs, P4-5: 1, Gourock Primary, Gourock (88); 2, Overton Primary, Gourock (87).
Class 99 (St Mary's Girls' School Trophy), Drama and music, P5-7): Overton Primary, Greenock (87).
Class 3A, Vocal solo, girls P4 and under: 1, Freya White, Kilmacolm (87); 2, Charlotte Sim, Bearsden (86).
Class 35D (Con Gill (Little White Bull) Trophy), Songs from musicals/Disney films, 10 and under: Through to the final - Rosie Green, Alexandria; Lauren MacLeay, Gourock; Michelle Musyoka, Gourock.
Class 17 (George Taylor Memorial Trophy), Scots songs, boys P7 and under: Joshua Watson, Gourock (84).
Class 19 (Elizabeth Graham Memorial Trophy), Scots songs, girls P7 and under: 1, Christy Harkins, Alexandria (87); 2, Rosie Green, Alexandria (86).
Class 9, Vocal solo, boys 12 and under: 1, Ewan McDonald, Inverkip (87); 2, Gavin Findlay, Bridge of Weir (86).
Class 65, Vocal duet, senior: 1, Jennifer Craig, Eleanor Lamont, Kilmacolm (85); 2, Gareth Bowman, Valerie Forsyth, Greenock (84).
Class 51 (Port Glasgow Corporation Trophy), Lieder and art song, senior: 1, Valerie Forsyth, Polly Beck, Greenock (171 + 169); 2, Gareth Bowman, Alan Beck, Greenock (170 + 168).
Class 19, Scots songs, boys 12 and under: 1, Gavin Findlay, Bridge of Weir (87); 2, Murray Scott, Ardrossan (86).
Class 20, Scots songs, girls 12 and under: 1, Eve Bonnar, Greenock (87); 2 equal, Katrina Crawford, Erskine; Catriona Faint, Greenock (84).
Class 37B, Songs from musicals/Disney films, 14 and under: 1, Olivia McNee, Gourock (88); 2 equal, Nicola Bain, Port Glasgow; Katie McLean, Kilmacolm; Mhairi Black, Wemyss Bay (87).
Class 22 (Church School of Motoring Trophy), Scots songs, girls 14 and under: 1, Jillian Craig, Kilmacolm (87); 2 equal, Katie McLean, Kilmacolm; Ciara Ewing, Kilmacolm (86).
INSTRUMENTAL
Class 319, Junior orchestra, 15 and under: Notre DS Junior Band, Greenock (85).
Class 317 (Robert Burrows Memorial Trophy), Concert bands, schools: 1, Notre Dame HS Concert Band, Greenock (174); 2, St Columba's Concert Band, Greneock (173).
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 31 Jan 12
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