Amazing performers mark 30th anniversary of Music Makers event

THERE was a different vibe when I walked through the doors of my school on the afternoon of Sunday, March 3.

Many amazing young musicians had gathered at Rupert House in Bell Street, which is celebrating its centenary this year, to show their incredible talent at this year’s Henley Youth Festival Music Makers event.

It is a special year for Music Makers, too. It is the only event of the festival that has been going since the very start in 1994.

Congratulations to all the participants, past and present, in this event that celebrates Henley’s young musical talent.

Music Makers was started so that children could come out of their practice rooms and have fun performing in front of an audience. This year’s musicians, all primary school-age children, did amazingly well in showing off their skills to each other, their families and friends.

Gillotts School’s head of performing arts Charlotte Alder and music teacher Hannah King carefully observed all the performances before giving the children a well-deserved certificate and some helpful feedback.

A total of 17 performers and two groups performed many forms of music, from jazz to classical and pop to musical.

Alfie Hay, who co-founded the festival, joyfully introduced each musician and their piece.

Kicking off the event was a group of six year 5 and 6 children from Sonning Common Primary School playing the recorder.

They played Pokare Kare, Dear Lisa, Harrison’s Rag and Cat Fanfare, which were all amazing.

Jo Jo Brewster played a Danish folk tune called Sailor’s Dance.

Marlon Hayes performed Renaissance Dance by Michael Praetorius on the piano and was followed by fellow pianist Arlo Pearson playing Boogie by Karin Daxböck, which encouraged everyone to clap along.

Matilda and Phoebe Friend were the only singing act of the day as they performed Riptide by Vance Joy with Phoebe on the ukelele.

She told me: “I got the ukulele for Christmas and have loved to play it ever since.”

Jasper Hayes played Minuet in G on the piano and Amelia Brewster gave us Wild Rider by Schumann — both incredible performances.

Saachi Rao played Witches’ Dance by Paganini on the violin, which was so beautifully expressed.

Scarlet Hayes followed with Allegro by Dominic Cimarosa on the piano, which she played with exceptional elegance. Emma Wang performed Winter Garden With a Great Tit by Janina Garscia on the piano.

Her hands raced at light speed across the piano keys.

Emma also played the violin. Her performance of Fantasia No.1 Largo by Telemann was beautiful and earned her a huge round of applause.

Emma, who lives in Reading, told me that she comes to Henley every week with her family to practise and she was very excited to perform at the Henley Youth Festival.

She has been playing both instruments for three years.

After a short interval, pianist Ted Gelling started the second half by playing Who Said “Mice”? by JM Last. He was followed by Alex Farrelly with Counting Stars by Ryan Tedder.

Ella Tarling played Concerto No 5 in D Major by F Seitz on the violin. She is 10 years old and has been playing the violin for five years.

Ella told me: “It is the fifth time performing at Music Makers.” That must be a record.

Melia Drummond played Angelfish by Crosby Gaudet on the piano with great passion.

Shanaya Yasin followed with Presto by Perscetti.

Ayden Yasin was the last solo act of the day as he played Für Elise by Beethoven on the piano.

The last act was the Valley Road School Choir singing Revolting Children from Matilda the Musical.

Then the audience gave all musicians a big round of applause.

Inspired by the music and all that talent, I left Music Makers feeling very cheerful — and that I should probably practise the piano more!