West Sussex Guitar Festival celebrates great talent in Bognor Regis.
Written 29/11/08
Bognor Regis saw an influx of several hundred people as both participants and audience came from far and wide to the 9th West Sussex Guitar Festival. This is an annual event held at the Regis School of Music, Sudley Road, Bognor Regis. There was one full weekend for under 18 year old players and another full weekend for adult players together with a Festival concert.
This event attracted over 170 entries with players coming from far and wide and locally to perform. The adjudicators for the festival were two prestigious and celebrated guitarists - Paul Gregory for the under 18s and Graham Devine for the adult classes. Both praised the players for their dedication and high standard of performance.
This year, in addition to numerous trophies there were a number of prizes generously donated by sponsors. Since the Festival formed part of Arun Peace Week these were awarded by the chairman of Arun District Council Ashvin Patel. The Scholarship for under an 18 year old to attend the four day West Dean International Guitar Festival in August 2009 was won by Sam Brown from Elmer with Zoe Green from Bristol as runner up.
A Camps classical guitar and case donated by Camps Manufacturers and Maestoso Music Ltd was won by James Li-Kam-Tin from Eastergate. A copy of Sibelius G7 composition software donated by Sibelius was won by Samuel Stormont - a music student from the University of Chichester - for his composition Grave con Espressione written for guitar and two flutes. In addition there were numerous sets of strings donated by Summerfield Music Instruments/Classic Guitar Magazine and Royal Classic Strings.
Graham Devine gave the Festival concert to an enthusiastic packed hall. His superb and varied concert included works by 19th Century romantic composers Sor, Albeniz and Granados together with contemporary composers Brouwer, Asencio and Contreras.
Terry Woodgate
More details of the West Sussex Guitar Club can be found on www.westsussexguitar.com or by telephoning 01243 866462.
Results of WSGF Junior Classes: Solo age 12 & under (Grade II & under): 1st Torben Winther, 2nd Harry Pell, 3rd Ayesha Gyening. Solo age 12 & under (Grade III & over): 1st Victor Smith, 2nd James Andrews, 3rd Lucy Haynes. Solo age 15 & under: 1st Patrick Sowden, 2nd Ben Davies, 3rd Emilio Flores-Bartelt. Technical Perfection 12 & under: 1st James Branchflower, 2nd James Li-Kam-Tin, 3rd Zoe Barnett. Technical Perfection (age 13-18): 1st Sam Brown. Bach age 13 & under: 1st James Li-Kam-Tin. Advanced Open Class: 1st Sam Brown, 2nd Emilio Flores-Bartelt, 3rd Adam Lack. Duet (Age 15 & under): 1st Tamzin Barnett/Adam Lack, 2nd Ben Davies/Emilio Flores-Bartelt, 3rd Andrew Creswick/George Robinson. Junior Recital (age 13 & under): 1st James Branchflower, 2nd Patrick Sowden, 3rd Zoe Barnett. Junior Recital (age under 18): 1st Karim Bedda, 2nd Tamzin Barnett, 3rd Adam Lack. Duet 12 & under: 1st Rose Duo, 2nd Jolley Duo & Guy/Louis Duo, 3rd Andrews & McKirgan Duo Junior Guitar Ensemble: 1st Oakwood Ensemble, 2nd Bishop Luffa Junior Ensemble. Duet (age under 18): 1st Inazuma Duo. Trio/Quartet (Age under 15): 1st Bishop Luffa Trio, 2nd Christian's Ensemble. Ensemble (Age under 18): 1st Ryusei Ensemble. Trio/Quartet (Age under 18): 1st Christian's Ensemble. Guitar with other Instrument (age under 12): 1st Tamzin & Zoe Barnett. Guitar with other Instrument (age less than 18): 1st Andrew & Richard Creswick. Voice with guitar accompaniment: 1st Alex Blake. Family Ensemble: 1st McKirgan Ensemble, 2nd William & Joanna Morris/ The Jenkin Duo.
Results of WSGF Senior Classes: Guitar Ensemble: 1st Regis Guitars. Intermediate (up to Grade III ): 1st Roy Barron Renaissance Class: 1st Patrick Butcher/Mitch Callow. Music Around the World: 1st Terry Woodgate/Samuel Stormont. Solo Composition: 1st David Roe/Samuel Stormont. Ensemble Composition: 1st Samuel Stormont. Virtuoso Class: 1st Lydia Hepworth, 2nd Chris Sweatman, 3rd Terry Woodgate. Advanced Class: 1st Jez Rogers, 2nd Terry Woodgate, 3rd Paul Rooney. Recital Class: 1st Linda Kelsall-Barnett, 2nd Lydia Hepworth/Will Punter, 3rd Philip Chapman/Chris Sweatman. Guitar Duet: 1st John Mason & Diana Green, 2nd Arcadia Duo, 3rd Debian Duo/David Roe & Tom Rimmer. Bach Class: 1st Philip Chapman, 2nd John Mason, 3rd Terry Woodgate/Paul Thomas. Voice with Guitar: 1st Sally Morris & Tom Jeffers. Intermediate grade IV and above: 1st Tom Rimmer, 2nd Patrick Butcher/Roger Ainley, 3rd Julian Bobak/Heidi Rose Calandra. Guitar Trio/Quartet: 1st Arcadia Quartet/Gala Quartet. Guitar with other instrument: 1stByronDuo/Tom & Diana Rimmer. Any plucked instrument: 1st Tom Jeffers & Sally Morris. Arrangement Class: 1st Debbie Burford/Tom Jeffers, 2nd Terry Woodgate/Tony Poulett.
West Dean International Guitar Bursary for under 18s: Winner Sam Brown (Elmer), Runner up Zoe Green (Bristol) Winner of Camps Classical Guitar: James Li-Kam-Tin (Eastergate) Winner of Sibelius G7 composition software: Samuel Stormont (Chichester University)