Boys’ School Instrumentalists Show Promise
This year’s Instrumental Competition came with a first, singers were welcomed into the line-up alongside the usual contenders in strings, piano, and percussion. It made for a final unlike any before it, with variety ranging from Tchaikovsky to John Legend.
The Middle School final opened with Axl Yan tackling Copland’s Cat and Mouse on piano, so dynamic you could see the chase across the keys. Charles Gu brought tenderness to Arutiunian’s Cello Impromptu, and Ray Zheng switched things up entirely behind the drum kit with his take on Herbie Hancock's Chameleon. Luke Tang’s account of Haydn’s Cello Concerto showed real composure, George Sun navigated Tchaikovsky’s wintry May Nights with maturity beyond his years, and Carter Lin closed out the section with the spirited Hora Hatikvah on violin.
The Senior School final raised the bar in preparation and musicianship. The addition of voice gave the competition a different texture entirely. Boyi Yujin’s violin rendition of Monti’s Csárdás brought the fire demanded of the composition. Orsen Gong doubled up on saxophone for the same piece before switching to piano for the exceptionally difficult Flight of the Bumblebee. Darren Lin’s March of the Dwarfs was full of mischief, and Eason Zhu delivered a brooding, assured Rachmaninoff Prelude.
On the vocal side, Jay Hughes sang Alone in the Universe with great heart, and Lucas Van Goch-Old went acoustic on voice and piano with All of Me. But it was Solomon Myocevich’s rendition of Don’t Dream It’s Over that captured the room, earning him this year’s inaugural Vocal Award. As Solomon put it himself, the song’s message is one to live by, “Don't let it stop you, keep going, believe in yourself.”
On the completion of both sections, George Sun was awarded first place in the Middle School category, with Luke Tang and Axl Yan rounding out the podium in second and third.
In the Senior competition, two-time Middle School winner Boyi Yujin took first place overall, with Darren Lin and Eason Zhu rounding out the top three. Congratulations to all finalists, particularly to the boys who put their voices on the line for the first time.
Middle School Results:
1st George Sun
2nd Luke Tang
3rd Axl Yan
Senior School Results:
1st Boyi Yujin
2nd Darren Lin
3rd Eason Zhu
Vocal Award: Solomon Myocevich
