Sixth annual concert another ‘truly great success’

As part of a varied programme featuring poetry recital, guitar solos, piano solos and duets, there were more than 25 performances by young people who had sat LCM exams in the previous year.

There were also a number of music theatre solos, reflecting a relatively new syllabus - involving dressing in character and performing show songs - that is reportedly proving popular with the candidates.

“This year there were songs from musicals such as Peter Pan and Les Miserables,” said LCM Dromore representative and concert organiser Mrs. Sonya Russell, who opened the event with a welcome and thanks for everyone attending.

Dromore’s own Patience Family were special guests on the night, performing - on Irish harps accompanied by guitar and concert flute - a selection of traditional jigs, reels and ballads, including their arrangement of ‘Danny Boy’ and one of their own compositions, based on the road home to Dromore.

The event concluded with the presentation of awards and certificates. Doing the honours was guest for the evening, LCM examiner Mrs Jayne Lindgren, who, on behalf of LCM, congratulated the Dromore centre on its collective talent and dedication.

In 20 years of visiting Northern Ireland, she said, she had seen the standard of music and playing constantly improve, thanks to the dedication and hard work of teachers, pupils and parents.

The night’s presentations included a medal for Miss Sarah Kilpatrick, marking her achievement of 100% in her written theory exam.

This year Lisburn’s ‘Music Galleria’ sponsored a shield to be presented to those who had received the highest marks in the past academic year; Miss Elinor Bradley (Speech & Drama) and Miss Hannah Buchannan (Piano) were jointly presented with the shield, having been awarded 100% in their examinations.

The Sonya Russell Cup of Achievement went too Miss Shannon King (Piano).

Shannon, who has only been having lessons for 14 months and is currently preparing to sit her Grade 3 piano exam, has excelled in her studies; she was nominated by her teacher, Miss Lauren Watson. who commended her for her dedication, commitment, initiative and enthusiasm for the piano. “She has shown a natural aptitude for music,” said Mrs. Russell, “and was presented with the cup in recognition of this and as an encouragement to pursue higher things.”

Mrs Russell hailed the evening a truly great success, in the course of which £450 was raised to support the work of The Christian Institute.