Local 81 year old, Brenda Palmer, from Overton has won the Stannah Stairlift Older Musician of the Year 2006. Run in association with acclaimed professional chamber orchestra, Southern Sinfonia, Brenda has scooped £1,000 cash and the chance to play with the Southern Sinfonia.
The Older Musician of the Year final took place on Saturday 16th September at the Corn Exchange in Newbury where six gifted musician finalists aged 60+ demonstrated their musical talents and battled it out against each other to prove they are still passionate about music.
Along with the other finalists, Brenda performed live in front of an audience of over 150 local residents and an international panel of judges. The competition was hosted and prizes were presented by one of our best-loved actors Timothy West, regularly seen in films and on TV. He's best known for appearing in classic comedy, Brass and starring in the acclaimed drama Edward VII. More recently Timothy played Sir Leicester Dedlock in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House.
Brenda says: “I’m so thrilled to have won Older Musician of the Year. I love playing the cello and I’m so pleased that my passion for playing came across to the judges at the final. The Older Musician of the Year is a wonderful award and it’s great that older people are being given the opportunity to show their musical talent”.
Jon Stannah, of Stannah Stairlifts commented, “We are delighted that Brenda has won the Older Musician of the Year award. She has proved that there really is life after retirement! These days emphasis is generally placed on the young and nurturing their talents and skills but we must also remember that older people still have so much to offer!”
She was also awarded with a hand crafted treble clef trophy, made by local craftsman David Duke. Made from solid bronze, the award sits on a solid wooden base and took over 20 hours to produce.
On Saturday Timothy West, one of our best-loved actors, hosted the final of the ‘Older Musician of the Year’ competition, a joint initiative between Southern Sinfonia and Stannah Stairlifts. Six finalists, all talented musicians over the age of 60, performed in front of an eminent panel of judges and an excited audience.
Bandmaster Bernard Snell from West Christchurch has a grade 8 ABRSM with distinction on both the cornet and piano and was a finalist on each instrument. Understandably nervous in the Mozart, he conjured up a lovely, mellow tone with his cornet in the Mascagni. Later, on the piano, he gave an exciting rendering of the Mayerl, rhythmically impressive and full of energy.
Natalie Jones from Ash Vale had returned to piano lessons in the mid-1980s and recently took the ABRSM diploma. Playing with a heartfelt simplicity, her passionate performance of the Chopin Nocturne was full of colour and poetry.
On retirement Antoinette King from Newbury started lessons on an ‘Arnold Dolmetsch’ treble recorder. She recently passed her LTCL diploma with distinction and now plays with the Wallingford Recorder Group. Clearly passionate about Baroque music, she gave a stylishly presented performance, well controlled and beautifully phrased. Her Dieupart was magical.
For Jill Jenkins from Brockenhurst the piano has always been at the centre of her life. She gave a sparkling rendering of her own composition and a most accomplished performance of the Palma, dramatic at times, thoughtful at others with an excellent use of dynamics.
Brenda Palmer, a wonderful character from Overton, delighted the audience with her personality and determination. As she played her cello, a friend to be caressed, her love of music shone through her passionate performance giving a great deal of pleasure.
Sally Goodworth’s accompaniment was superb – sensitive and supportive.
During the interval the audience were ‘buzzing’ with excitement as judges Jill White, Martin Riley and Nigel Dickinson withdrew to make their decision.
Finally the result was announced – the winner of ‘Stannah Stairlifts Older Musician of the Year Competition 2006’ was ... Brenda Palmer, who also won £1000 and the chance to play with Southern Sinfonia, Newbury’s professional chamber orchestra, in the future.
My congratulations to all finalists. This new competition for the ‘older’ musician had proved to be a great success.
HELEN BOMGARDNER
