Charlie C-J Becomes State Champion Twice!

Shore was represented by Year 12 French Horn player Charlie C-J at the State Solo Championships on the first weekend of the June/July holidays. The NSW Band Association holds both Band and Solo competitions. This competition was held over two days on 29 and 30 June and saw hundreds of entries covering three different age sections (U15, U19 and Open) in various instrument specialisations. The soloists who entered are all members of School and Community Bands. Each section has closed adjudication, meaning the judges are behind a screen and cannot see the performers, therefore, all soloists are judged purely on what they hear and are free from any bias.

Charlie performed Hindemith’s Horn Sonata in the Open French Horn section on the first day of competition. Whilst Charlie competed against previous winners, he was victorious in this section. On the second day of competition, Charlie entered the U19 French Horn section, performing the first movement of Richard Strauss’ Second Horn Concerto. In what was an even closer competition than the previous day, Charlie also won this section. Both adjudicators for the two sections remarked on the musicality and sophistication that Charlie demonstrated. Winning both sections enabled Charlie to perform in two Champion of Champions events. These are trophy events where all the winners of every instrument in each age category perform against each other to be named the overall Champion of Champions. Here, Charlie performed Nocturno by Franz Strauss (Richard Strauss’ father). Whilst Charlie didn’t win either of the Champions events, he performed in front of a large, appreciative, and knowledgeable audience and represented both himself and Shore admirably. Charlie last entered this competition when he was in Year 7 and in the U15 French horn section. He came 2nd in that event and so Charlie is immensely proud of his improvements and achievements. We would like to thank Mrs Oxley, who was able to accompany Charlie over the weekend.

Miss S Robertson
Director of Symphonic Winds