Congratulations - to Eileane Reby who has passed her ABRSM Grade 3 theory exam with Distinction - An excellent result.

A huge well done to my younger students who took their ABRSM Prep exams this summer.You all worked so hard and deserved all the fantastic comments you received from the examiner, some excerpts below :

Milly Caddick - "Rhythmical playing with sense of pulse - Tune clearly projected in both hands - A musical rit. - Robots quite 'spooky' in character - All played reliably from memory - Some really promising playing here today ! Well done."
Anamika Nebhrajani Wallace - "Sat confidently at piano, hands well co-ordinated - Gentle lilt in phrasing. Nice stacatto - Good contrasting louds & softs & dynamic contrast - From memory & musically performed - Well done - Super stuff!"
Ciara Savvides - Some equally fantastic comments, coming soon.

Congratulations - to all students who worked so hard for their ABRSM practical exams. The first results have come in as follows :

Prep :
Chalotte Yan - "Secure grasp of notes and rhythm - well co-ordinated hands, firm tone and effective contrasts . Well done".
Penelope King "A promising start and secure knowledge of the keyboard. Correct responses in the listening games. Well done".

Grade 1 :
Pablo Carciofa - Distinction (with the extremely high mark of 141).
Benjamin Costin - Distinction.
Zeba Mack - Distinction.
Alex Nisbett - (High) Merit.
Kian Sobhanpanah (High) Merit.

Grade 3 :
Clare Fowlie - (High) Merit.
Eleane Reby - Pass.

Grade 5 :
Dana Sobhanpanah - (High) Merit.

A big well done ! - to all students who took part in this years Springboard Festival. You all worked extremely hard and there were some truly musical performances - as always! A special mention goes to Mia and Saskia who on their first public performances received high marks and 2nd place awards after learning just a very short period of time - What an achievement! Also Pablo and Kian who received a 90 mark for their first ever duet. It was a truly joyful performance enjoyed by all ! Zeba totally charmed everyone in the audience with her delightful rendition of Martha Mier's '7th St. Blues' - also receiving a 90 mark. But well done to you all, it is a true delight to witness your high standard of playing.

Benjamin Costin (7) - 1st place. Solo set pieces 7 & under.
Mia Nathan (7) - 2nd place. Solo set pieces 7 & under.
Alex Nisbett (7) - 1st place. Solo own choice 7 & under.
Charlotte Yan (7) - 4th place. Solo own choice 7 & under.
Saskia Roeg (8) - 2nd place. Solo set piece - 8 & under.
Zeba Mack (9) - 1st place. Solo jazz - 9 & under (90)
Pablo Carciofa (8) - 3rd place. Solo jazz - 9 & under.
Eleane Reby (11) - 2nd place. Solo Memory 10,11 & 12 (large class).
Clare Fowlie (11) - 4th place. Solo set piece 10,11 & 12.
Jessica Speight (13) - 2nd place. Contemporary 10-14.
Dana Sobhanpanah (13) - 3rd place. Memory 13 & 14.
Palo Carciofa / Kian Sobhanpanah (8) 1st place. Duet 9 & under (90).
Clare Fowlie / Eleane Reby (11) - 2nd place. Duet 10,11,&12.
Dana Sobhanpanah / Jessica Speight (13) - 1st place. Duet 13 & 14 who played the extremely difficult 'Ballet' from Debussy 'Petite Suite' - Well done!

I would like to congratulate all my students who performed in this years festival. They all played so musically and I am extremely proud ! Their hard work was rewarded by every one of them being placed and receiving more trophies & certificates to add to the collection. More importantly, the charm and colour of their performances brought delight (and the odd tear to the eye) to parents and strangers alike. A special mention goes to Charlotte for whom it was her first public performance, Alex who caused amusement when his rather large trophy took on a life of its own, Kian who flew back from L.A. the day before and went on to win his class and Eleane & Clare who won back the duet trophies they had just returned from last year! But really, a huge well done to all of you. Performances as follows :

Alex Nisbett (7) - 1st place solo 7 yrs & under set pieces
(Louisa Bland Rosebowl)
Benjamin Costin (6) - 2nd place solo 7 yrs & under set pieces
Charlotte Wang (6)- 3rd place solo 7 yrs & under set pieces
Kian Sobhanpanah (8) - 1st place solo 8 yrs & under set pieces (Yvonne de Roen Cup)
Pablo Carcioffa (8) - 2nd place solo 8 yrs & under set pieces
Pablo Carcioffa (8) - 2nd place solo 9 yrs & under set pieces
Eleane Reby (11) - 1st place Romantic, Impressionist, Contemporary 11 & under (Mount School Cup)
Clare Fowlie (11) - 1st place - Grade 3 Memory (Lydia Ellis Trophy)
Jessica Speight - 1st place - Jazz, Ragtime or Popular 12 yrs & under (Festival Award)
Jessica Speight (12) - 3rd place - Romantic, Impressionist, Contemporary 13 & under
Zeba Mack & Catherine Mears (9) - 2nd place Duet 9 yrs & under
Clare Fowlie & Eleane Reby (11) - 1st place Duet 11 yrs & under (Lydia Ellis Duet Cups)
Dana Sobhanpanah & Jessica Speight (12) - 2nd place Duet 14 & under.

Congratulations - to all students who took their ABRSM exams this summer .

Theory :
George Mack - Grade 1 - Distinction with 100% mark.
Dana Sobhanpanhah - Grade 2 - Distinction.
Jessica Speight - Grade 2 - Distinction.

Prep :
Alex Nisbett - "A confident tone. You are clearly a musical & thoughtful pianist who sat well at the piano with hands nice and rounded".
Benjamin Costin - "Steady, careful, enthusiastic and full of character - Contrast good. Excellent response in listening games".
Kian Sobhanpanah - (coming soon).

Practical :
Jessica Speight - Grade 3 - Distinction.
Eleane Reby - Grade 2 - Merit.
George Mack -Grade 2 - Pass.

I would like to congratulate all my students who performed at this years festival. Their hard work was rewarded with a fantastic six 1st place festival medals also bringing home the Lisa Childs Memorial Duet Trophies. Results as below :

Benjamin Costin & Alex Nisbett (5/6) - Joint 1st place.
Solo 7 & under.
Pablo Carciofa (7) - 1st place. Solo Memory 7 & under.
Kian Sobhanpnah (7) - 4th place. Solo Memory 7 & under.
Zeba Mack (8) - 2nd place. Solo Jazz 9 & under.
Eliene Reby (11) - 1st place. Solo Jazz 10 & 11 yrs.
Clare Fowlie (11) - 2nd place. Solo Jazz 10 & 11 yrs.
Dana Sobhanpanah (12) - 3rd place. Solo Jazz 12, 13 & 14 yrs.
Zeb Mack & Catherine Mears (8) - 1st place. Duet 9 & under.
Eliene Reby & Clare Fowlie (11) - 3rd place. Duet 10 & 11 yrs.
Jessica Speight & Dana Sobhanpanah (12) - 1st place. Duet 12, 13 & 14 yrs.

Jessica Speight also played a Martha Mier contemporary piece that was sadly disqualified as 'not strictly jazz' although it was a highly accomplished and musical performance much enjoyed by all.

! Congratulations ! - to all students who took part in this years Worthing Music Festival contributing such inspiring and truly musical performances. Between them they managed to bring home five 1st place trophies, five 2nd place runners up and two 3rd/4th place certificates.

A special mention should go to Benjamin Costin , who at the age of just 5, played his first ever performance winning a 2nd place in the age 7 and under solo class. Also to Eleane Reby who won the 1st place trophy in the Grade 2 memory class and went on to win the Duet 9 years and under cups with partner Clare Fowlie , receiving a 90 mark. Well done to those who took part, I am extremely proud of you all.

Benjamin Costin (5) - 2nd place. Solo set pieces 7 & under.
Pablo Carciofa (7) - 2nd place. Solo set pieces 7 & under.
Alex Nisbett (6) - 3rd place. Solo set pieces 7 & under
Kian Sobhanpanah (7) - 4th place. Solo set pieces 7 & under
Zeba Mack (8) - 2nd place runner up. Solo set pieces 8 & under
Catherine Mears (8) - 1st place Trophy. Solo grade 1 memory.
Eleane Reby (10) - 1st place Trophy. Solo grade 2 memory.
Jessica Speight (11) - 1st place Lydia Ellis Cup. Solo grade 3 memory.
Jessica Speight (11) - 2nd place. Jazz 12 years & under.
Dana Sobhanpanah (11) - 1st place Trophy. Solo grade 4 memory.
Eleane Reby & Clare Fowlie (10) - 1st place Lydia Ellis Duet Cups. 11 & under.
Jessica Speight & Dana Sobhanpanah (11) - 2nd place. Duet 11 & under.

Congratulations - to the following students who passed their ABRSM practical & theory examinations this summer.

Practical :
Eleane Reby - Grade 1 - Distinction.
Clare Fowlie - Grade 2 Merit.
Jessica Speight - Grade 2 - Merit.
Dana Sobhanpanah - Grade 3 - Merit.

Prep :
Zeba Mack - "A very pleasing set of performances, expressive & well balanced, well done!".
Pablo Carciofa - "Much to enjoy, shaped the tunes well with a well controlled sound; full of character & dynamic variety".

Theory :
Dana Sobhanpanah - Grade 1 - Distinction.
Jessica Speight - Grade 1 - (High) Merit
John Mariarty - Grade 1 - (High) Merit.

I am extremely proud of my students who produced some top quality performances at this years Springboard Music Festival. Held at the Old Market venue Hove, there really were some truly sensitive and musical performances resulting in them bringing home no less than five 1st place winner medals, one 2nd place runner up and three 3rd place certificates. A special mention goes to Alex Nisbett who at just five years old, gained a 3rd place for his first ever public performance. All of you deserved your medals and certificates for the high standard of musicianship you reached - Well done!

Pablo Carciofa (6) - 1st place winners medal. Set pieces 7 & under.
Alex Nisbett (5) - 3rd place. Set pieces 7 & under.
Catherine Mears (7) - 3rd place. Memory class 7 & under.
Dana Sobhanpanah (11) - 3rd place. Set pieces 10 & 11 years.
Jessica Speight (11) - 1st place winners medal. Memory class 10 + 11 years.
Dana Sobhanpanah & Jessica Speight - 1st place winners medals. Duet 10 +11 years.
Clare Fowlie (9) - 1st place winners medal. Solo Jazz 9 & under.
Dana Sobhanpanah - 1st place winners medal. Solo Jazz 10 + 11.
Jessica Speight - 2nd place runner up. Solo Jazz 10 + 11.

Dana Sobhanpanah then went on to win a trophy for the highest mark awarded in the combined afternoon jazz classes.

Congratulations - to Eileane Reby who took her ABRSM Prep test resulting in the following positive comments :
"You showed excellent legato, controlled and contrasting dynamics, great staccato and effective accents. You answered accurately and confidently in the listening games - Well done today Eileane!"

Huge congratulations - to all students who competed in this years Worthing Music Festival. This years performances saw them scoop top awards and runner up places in the piano classes. Their hard work and sense of performance securing them trophies and certificates to add to their growing list of musical achievements. Well done!

This year's special mention goes to Sophie Paine (9) - who 'scored a double' - winning the 1st place 'Joan Last Cup' award for piano Solo age 9 and under. Performing 'Happy Go Lucky Cha Cha Cha' as one of her pieces. Sophie, along with duet partner Clare Fowlie (9), then went on to win the 1st place 'Linda Ellis Rose Bowl' award in the following duet age 9 and under class with a truly sensitive and expressive performance. Sophie was also honoured to play at the festival highlights concert at the Royal Pavillion Theatre Worthing in December.

Another performance worth a special mention, was that of our youngest entrant this year Pablo Carciofa (age 6, just), who gained a 3rd place in the 7 years & under solo class. Pablo has been learning a very short time and was competing against older children, some of who had aready reached Grade 3. Well done Pablo!

Bringing home our third winners trophy of the festival, was Dana Sobhanpanah (10), who came a well deserved 1st in the Grade 3 Memory class, securing her the 'Linda Ellis Trophy' award for her extremely musical performance of Martha Mier's 'Worrisome Blues'.

More congratulations also go to the following students, who gained runners up places :
Georgia Paine (8) - 2nd place runner up. Solo 8 years & under
Jessica Speight (10) & Dana Sobhanpanah (10) - 2nd place runners up. Duet 11 years & under.
Catherine Mears (7) - 3rd place - Solo. 7 years and under
Jessica Speight (10) - 3rd place. Bach 11 years & under class.

Congratulations - to all students who received extremely good results in their recent examinations:

Clare Fowlie - Grade 1 - Distinction.
Jessica Speight - Grade 1 - Distinction
Sophie Paine - Grade 1 - Distinction.
George Adapoe - Grade 1 - (high) Merit
Dana Sobhanhanah - Grade 2 - (high) Merit

Also to Asta Caitlin - ' a very musical performance' and Catherine Mears - 'a sensitive and musical performance', who took their Prep exams receiving very encouraging comments.

Congratulations - to the following students who received extremely high marks and high places for this years Worthing Music Festival.

Catherine Mears (7), Georgia Paine (7), Sophie Paine (8), Claire Fowlie (8) and Asta Caister (8).

A special mention goes to Jessica Speight, who had been learning less than a year, on a stunning performance that clinched her the first place trophy in the beginners class ages 9/10.

Many Congratulations - to all students who received extremely good results and comments for their first Prep examinations. Some excerpts from the comments received :

Georgia Paine - "Very musical playing, fingers working nicely together. Very nice rhythmic style. Well done!
Sophie Paine - "Very colourful performance, neat fingerwork and attention to dynamics. An excellent visit"!
George Adapoe - "Musical playing, hands working well together.Very confident work all round"!
Clare Fowlie - "Good action and very tidy fingers, lovely dynamics - A very encouraging occasion all round"!
Lucy Turner - Grade 2 Theory - Distinction.

A Very well done - to all students who again received fantastic marks and places in this years festival.

Georgia Paine (6)- 1st Place Winners Medal. 7 Years & Under Solo, Set Pieces.
Sophie Paine (7) - 2nd place. 7 Years & Under Solo, Memory
Ellis Boddington (9)- 2nd Place. 8/9 Years Solo, Memory
George Adope (8)- 4th Place. 8/9 Years Solo, Memory
Clare Fowlie (8)- 4th Place. 8/9 Years Solo, Memory
George Adope & Ellis Boddington - 2nd place. Duet, 9 Years & under
Sophie Paine & Clare Fowlie - 4th Place. Duet, 9 Years & Under.

All students worked extremely hard and totally deserved the high points awarded. Congratulations!

Congratulations - to all students who received fantastic marks and places.

Ellis Boddington (8) - 1st place winner of 'Joan Last Cup'. 9 Years & under solo.
Sophie Paine (7) - 2nd place. 7 years & under solo.
Georgia Paine (6) - 3rd place. 7 years & under solo.
Rhianna McGreevy (8) - 3rd place 8 years & under solo.
Clare Fowlie (7) - joint 3rd place. 8 years & under.
George Adope (8) - joint 3rd place 8 years & under.

This was the first festival/public performance for all of these students, most of whom have only been learning for less than a year, so we are extremely proud of them all for their high marks and awards.

November 2004 ABRSM Theory Exams