On Wednesday the 9 August, two music ensembles from Regents Park Christian School headed to Ryde to participate in the Ryde Eisteddfod: the Brass Ensemble, directed by Mr Tyler Barnes, and the Wind and String Quartet, directed by Mr Tim Chavura. The Brass Ensemble entered two pieces, Amazing Grace and music from the Royal Fireworks by Handel, while the Quartet entered Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken. We had been practicing our pieces for two terms, with rehearsals at lunch time and before school, and we were very hopeful and pleased about this opportunity, as this is the first time RPCS has sent any ensemble out to a competition in years.
At the Eisteddfod, we played our best and received helpful and meaningful feedback from the adjudicator. The quartet received a mark of 84, which the brass ensemble narrowly beat with a mark of 85. We also received ribbons and a nice trophy for the school, but the most meaningful thing we got that day was an opportunity to play for others and gain performance experience. We hope to improve, taking on board the feedback that we received, and try again next year. Personally, I am very optimistic about the future of musical ensembles at RPCS. Playing in an ensemble has helped me a lot as a musician and I hope that they will always be a valuable learning experience for music students here at school.
Written by Kimberley Year 11
