Chatelech student Béla Ord has taken home an award of $150 for best original composition in a contest organized by the BC Registered Music Teachers, Sunshine Coast Branch. He wrote and performed on piano his own piece, Green Hills, along with father Graham Ord on flute, at a concert at the Heritage Playhouse on Nov. 26.
The occasion was the 150th birthday celebration of Canadian composers held on a day close to the feast day of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. The concert offered musical presentations from 27 local students, tots to teens.
Béla is 16 and he studies classical piano with teacher Patricia Greenfield and jazz piano with Anna Lumiere. He plays piano and sax in concert and at jazz band at school.
Composition and Theory teacher Mark Johnson was not given the ages or backstory of the four contestants in the competition when he was asked to judge the entries by their musical quality and by the composer’s ability to write the musical score clearly. He called Ord’s piece an interesting configuration of piano and flute that worked well harmonically, and he noted the jazz influence.
“The quality was high on all four entries,” Johnson said. “They showed sophistication. I’m in a position to judge as I’ve taught many student workshops.”
Faith Mellis played her composition Ripples in the Water on piano at a fast and slow tempo that Johnson called “a little gem.” Henry Telfer’s original piece Recovery was performed on piano in harmony with Michele Satanove on cello. Johnson referred to the brooding cello start and the piano highlight for a finish, commending Telfer on an impressive first composition.
Brison Geue wrote a musical score for an apocalyptic movie, One Last Night Standing Strong, and he performed with great flourish. Johnson complimented him on his grasp of technique in his music and his powerful performance skills. Byron Brampton, who was not a contestant, also performed an original composition, as yet unnamed.
Other students gave the audience a variety of tunes from Canadian composers, mostly on piano but with two vocal performances from Elizabeth Lyle and Carter Greenfield. Canadian composer Stephen Chatman was the popular tunes choice for many. Matthew Douglas chose Oscar Peterson’s Jazz Exercise No.2, a hit with the audience.
Members of the Registered Music Teachers group closed the show with the Hymn to Freedom, composed by Canada’s Oscar Peterson.
