One, two, three, four...five music champions!

After the huge success which Latham's musicians enjoyed back in November and in January's Unison and Harmony competitions, hopes were naturally high for the singing, strings and percussion classes held on Sunday 20th February - the boys did not disappoint! Emulating Owen Winter (Latham 2005-2010), Edwin Wilton-Morgan (L6) did the double by securing both the Senior Classical and Senior Popular Song trophies. His performances of Faure's 'Dans le ruines d'une abbaye' and 'Somewhere' from West Side Story were highly engaging and technically accomplished. Tom Hume (U6) should also be congratulated for two excellent performances, his rendition of 'Some Enchanted Evening' winning him a highly commended award. The adjudicator, Jonathan Sanders, also described the singing of Laurence Webster (U6) as "amazing in parts" during his moving interpretation of 'Empty Chairs At Empty Tables'. After a break for tea it was the turn of the Juniors and this gave Joseph Jankinson (A Block) an opportunity to defend his Classical Song trophy. This he duly did with a highly accomplished performance of Handel's 'Si, tra i ceppi', displaying remarkable breath control, intonation and expression for a boy of his age. Sebastiaan Howle (O Block), the hero of Latham's harmony victory, then flew the blue and white flag in the Popular Song class and  many in the audience felt that his rendition of 'You've Got A Friend In Me' deserved more than a highly commended award. Up next were the orchestral percussion players. Latham has won this class for the past three years thanks to Robert Keep, who is currently on a GAP year at Repton Dubai. How lovely it was, therefore, to see Robert's legacy inspiring Jamie Clarke (B Block) who wowed the adjudicator with his rhythmic and flamboyant playing. He was rightly awarded the cup and this was doubly impressive as Jamie was accompanied on piano by another Latham B Blocker, Jacques Taylor. The Classical Guitar section was next and last year's winner, Mark Harrison (U6), was keen to retain his title. His fluent and engaging performance of one of J.S. Bach's lute suites proved enough for the judge as he once again won the class. Latham's final performer of the evening was Damon Ho Zhong in the Junior Strings class. This was a strong group but Damon nonetheless drew much praise for his authentic and characterful interpretation of Kraemer's 'Cossak Dance'. As the music stands were being put away at the end of a long evening, the boys of Latham could reflect on a day which saw five of the seven available trophies make their way to the far end of Tanners Lane. Many congratulations to all who performed and fingers crossed for next term's Musician of the Year competition - Lathamites will be performing as champions in no fewer than eight categories.