ISA Music Competition Winner June 2023

We are all incredibly proud of our Year 5 student Etienne, who was placed runner-up in the recent Music ISA Composition competition for children nationally in Key Stage 2. 

 Etienne with his school music teacher Mrs Lilesmartt

For this competition, Etienne played his own composition: The Old Days, the Best Days.

The judges commented that he: 
Demonstrates good understanding of key, rhythm, phrases, dynamics, accompanied by an excellent score.

This is a national event involving hundreds of other schools and to have reached such heights is a fantastic achievement.

I started playing the piano when I was five years old. I first started on a toy piano book which my grandma gave me for Christmas. A couple of years later my dad’s friend gifted me a second hand mini toy piano. After a while, my mum noticed that I really enjoyed playing on the mini piano and that me playing random notes actually sounded nice! She then asked me if I wanted to take piano lessons. I exclaimed “YES!” However, my mini piano, at the time, didn’t do dynamics so I couldn’t practice properly at home. So one day, when I couldn’t sleep, I heard some commotion downstairs and came to see what was going on… What I saw was a 12 Roland piano in our kitchen! I was so excited! I played on it for a while and I loved it.

My piano teacher, Sarah, has been a wonderful teacher who has helped me develop my piano skills over the years, explore many different music genres and find out what I’m good at. With Sarah’s help I have been able to pass a number of theory and practical exams with merits and distinctions.

During Lockdown, I started to compose my own piano pieces. I named my first composition ‘Reflections of the Sea’. Since then, I have created many more pieces, including ‘The Old Days, the Best Days’ and Funk.

My school’s music teacher, Mrs. Greer has encouraged me greatly throughout my music journey. She has always made sure that I am exposed to different types of music during music lessons. She has also given me the privilege to play in a number of concerts in and outside of school, which has helped my confidence when performing.

When I play the piano, I feel free and relaxed. The ideas for my compositions come to me as soon as I sit on my piano stool. I shall never stop playing the piano, as it is an enjoyable and exciting part of my life!