The idea of a Young Singers Open Competition resulted from a conversation in 2003 between Ryland Lee and the then Choir Chairman,
Eamonn O'Rourke.
Ryland is the driving force behind the Young Singers Initiative. The premise is that Hart Male Voice Choir should encourage
and support talented, young singers and provide a public platform to display their talents.
Initially it was decided to hold a competition in three classes - Junior (11-16yrs), Senior (17-21 yrs) and Duet (open).
Auditions would be held in January / February, with the 'winners' and 'runners up' invited to sing at a local 'gala' concert
in March or April. All singers would be given a certificate in recognition of their participation in the competition.
Ryland contacted potential sources of young singers - information was sent to schools and colleges from mid-Hampshire,
North Surrey, West Berkshire and the Reading area, and to local music teachers, and by the end of November,
we had 23 entries - the competition was on!
At the auditions we came across some really talented and exceptional young singers, some of them quite breathtaking in terms of the
quality of their singing and their composure and confidence.
Since then, the competition has gone from strength to strength. The quality of all the singers has been of the highest calibre. Who could forget
our first male winner (senior), the counter-tenor Robert Cross in 2005? Robert went on to sing at the last night of the BBC Proms,
in international concerts and has had singing lessons under the tutelage of Andreas Scholl. Then in 2007, we had the incredible Milly Forrest
who won the junior class - what a voice and maturity from a 12 year old!
Over the years, there have been some changes to the format:
In 2004, it was decided that all participants would receive a written adjudication
In 2005, financial awards were given to the winners: Senior - £300; Junior - £200; Duet - £200. All monies for these awards raised
from sponsorship.
In 2007, the Duet Class was discontinued (there was no real interest in this aspect of the competition)
and an Intermediate Class was introduced as it was felt that the Junior Class was too broad with many of the younger singers
disadvantaged.
Preparations for the 2008 Competition have already commenced.
For further information, please click here.
Some Facts and Figures:
In 2003: there were 23 entries
Winners and Runners up:
Senior - Sally Bristow, Claire Day, James Topping;
Junior - Helen Piddington, Lauren Mackrell, Holly Westwood
In 2004: there were 36 entries
Winners and Runners up:
Senior - Elizabeth Spratt, Becky Chilton;
Junior - Elizabeth Fulleylove, Thomas Humphreys
In 2005: there were 38 entries
Winners:
Senior - Robert Cross;
Junior - Amy Anderson;
Duet - Sarah Wood and Sarah Hallett
In 2006: there were 42 entries
Winners:
Senior - Charlotte Denham;
Junior - Sarah Crabtree;
Duet - Toby Ranger and Robert Quail
In 2007: there were 52 entries
Winners:
Senior - Sian Evans;
Intermediate - Branwen Ramsdale;
Junior - Milly Forrest
Copyright © 2008 Hart Male Voice Choir