Students to compete for Young Musician of the Year (From Watford Observer)

Students to compete for Emunah Young Musician of the Year title

9:30am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter

Young musicians from south west Hertfordshire will compete for a coveted title at the Royal College of Music in London.

Eleven finalists from around the country, including three from Watford, Northwood and Bushey will compete for the title of Emunah Young Musician of the Year 2013.

They include singers James Harvey, 14, from Watford and Natasha Fisch, 13, a pupil at Immanuel College, and flute-player Rafi Kelion, 15, from Northwood, who attends Merchant Taylors’ School.

This is the competition’s third year, but the first time the finals have been held at the Royal College of Music in Kensington.

James has entered the competition every year and was joint-runner up in 2012. He has been singing since the age of eight and has weekly lessons, as well as practising every day.

He said: "I was overwhelmed but happy to reach the finals and delighted to have another opportunity to perform in concert and go for the winner’s prize.

"I’ve a tenor voice suited to classical lyrics and songs from the West End Musical Shows although I enjoy singing a variety of songs.

"I would love to be a professional singer one day and perform to large audiences."

Natasha Fisch performed The Wizard and I by Stephen Schwartz and said: "I would love to be in musical theatre when I grow up. I am very excited but was extremely shocked to hear I had been chosen.

"I have been singing since the age of five or six and have lessons once a week in school and practise every day at home."

Rafi Kelion, who played Waltz no 4 from John Rutter’s Suite Antique, said: "I felt happy and relieved that I had made it to the finals then realised that I had a lot more practice to do.

"I started flute lessons when I was six-years-old and take weekly lessons during term-time. "I practise most nights. I hope to take ‘A’ level music but have not yet got any musical ambitions beyond school."

The winner’s school will receive a prize of £500 to spend on musical instruments, courtesy of Wienerworld.

The final takes place at 4pm on Sunday, March 3.