HORSHAM College year 12 student Ethan McRae has won a judge’s encouragement prize for his piano playing at the Ballarat Royal South Street Eisteddfod on Saturday.
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Mr McRae competed in the ‘Celebrating Chopin’ section against eight other piano players from Melbourne.
The 125th annual Eisteddfod will see 11,000 competitors take part in music and dance from August to October.
“We could pick any two pieces for our repertoire but they had to be by Chopin, obviously,” Mr McRae said.
“I picked Nocturne in C Minor and Scherzo in B Flat Minor.
“I was up against international players, so I was pretty surprised by the award.”
Polish-French composer Frédéric Chopin is noted for his technically demanding pieces, most of which were written for solo performers.
The Celebrating Chopin event is considered the eisteddfod’s foremost concert section for piano.
The competition was hosted in the Art Gallery of Ballarat and made use of the gallery’s new Yamaha grand piano.
“I’ve been learning piano for 12 years now so it’s a big part of my life,” Mr McRae said.
“What I like about Chopin is that he mixes classical with more modern elements, and he expresses a lot of emotion.
“I love being able to get lost in the pieces.”
Mr McRae received $500 as part of his judge’s encouragement award.
“I haven’t even thought about what to do with the money,” he said.
Rex Martinich
Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
