MORE than 50 students from Crawford International La Lucia, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 11, took to the stage at the recent Queensburgh Festival, earning an impressive collection of results across piano, woodwind, strings and percussion.

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The students competed in a variety of sections, including recorder, flute, violin, guitar, piano and percussion, showcasing months of preparation, practise and dedication.

“Performing in front of an audience takes confidence, courage and perseverance, and the students were praised for embracing the experience and supporting their growth as young musicians. Their performances also reflected the progress they have made throughout the year, with each appearance on stage providing an opportunity to learn, build confidence and develop their musical skills,” said Kerry Smith, Client Experience Officer for the college.

Among the standout performers was Xizhi Aiden Luo, who collected a string of major awards throughout the festival. Luo was named the U16 age group winner and took home trophies for the Senior Strings Solo, Woodwind Concerto and Piano Concerto Over 14 sections.

He also achieved the top overall mark in four sections — Early, Sonata, Romantic and Modern 3 — before being awarded the festival’s Best All-Round Performer trophy. Luo also shared the title of Most Impressive Performer Throughout the Festival with fellow Crawford student Derren Hsu.

Hsu was named the South African Society of Music Teachers Top Junior Performer, for musicians up to Music Grade 5, and was also the U10 age group winner.

Other Crawford students who earned trophies included Emily Lin, who won the Beginner Pianist Junior Trophy, and Joelle Govender, who took the Beginner Pianist Senior Trophy.

In the instrument sections, Magdalene Huber won the Junior Recorder Solo, while Avesh Jayasekera took the Classical Guitar Solo. Avesh and Ashean Jayasekera combined to win the Classical Guitar Duet.

Shivay Govender and Uzimangaliso Ngcobo shared the Percussion Solo trophy after tying for the top mark.

Wan Yuan Lai was awarded the Woodwind Concerto trophy, adding to an impressive showing by Crawford students across the festival’s various disciplines.

The results were further underlined by the number of high-scoring certificates earned by the students. Crawford students received 33 A++ certificates for marks of 90% and above, 30 A+ certificates for marks between 85% and 89%, and 25 A certificates for marks between 80% and 84%.

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