MARIO LANZA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION awards - 29 may 2010

 

The awards were held in the Recital Hall at Birmingham Conservatoire on May 29 th 2010 at 1.30pm. Unfortunately several of our members were absent due to illness or holidays, but the numbers were made up with followers of the students, so it was well attended.

Carol Jacobs, our secretary, and her husband Philip, had sent their apologies, also William Earl our Vice President who is still nursing his wife, Judith. Pam Latham could not attend but sent her best wishes.

 

Michael Barry was absent this year so Professor Julian Pike officiated.

We had 12 singers performing so it was a long afternoon with only a short break in the middle. Julian Pike commented on the high standard this year, most of our members agreed with this. The twelve singers had been selected from twenty-nine that had applied and Julian Pike thanked the M.L.E.F. for their continued support.

The adjudicator this year was Rosalind Plowright, and the pianist was Jonathan French who was very good as usual.

There were 8 female and 4 male singers. The adjudicator wanted to award 3 prizes but Jackie Lane, our treasurer, insisted there were only to be two.

The winner was Louise Wayman who sang ‘Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante' by Bizet and ‘Ah! Je veux vivre' by Gounod.

Second was Lianne Birkett who sang ‘Mi chiamano Mimi' by Puccini and ‘L'altra note in fondo al mar' by Boito.

Derek Wheldon with winner Louise Wayman

Highly recommended was Chi Mei Ho who sang ‘O war ich schon' by Beethoven and ‘O luce di quest'anima' by Donizetti.

I thanked all the singers, Julian Pike, Rosalind Plowright and Jonathan French for their contribution and all the people present for supporting the Awards.

At 5.30pm 26 members re-grouped at the Midland Institute for a short get-together. George Thomson was there with his merchandise and Vernon provided the music from his laptop computer. Refreshments were provided, and Shirley Stevenson and Joyce Kaye dispensed the drink and food for which I thank them very much indeed. We ran a raffle which made £25 for the MLEF funds. Carol and Philip Jacobs were much missed but I think everyone enjoyed the day.

Derek with 2nd winner Lianne Birkett

Derek Wheldon (Chairman of the MLEF)