Ros and I first came across Hazel at the Regional Final in Ripon of the Rotary Young Musicians contest last March. She was the clear winner in the Vocal class, and such was the quality of her singing that I had no hesitation in asking her to come and sing to the club as part of the “Music Theme” for my Presidential Year.
Hazel's recital did not disappoint, neither in her beautiful singing, nor in her positive and confident personality when she told us all about her previous musical experience and her future aspirations. Her nicely varied programme was:
“Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess” (George Gershwin)
“I could have danced all night” from “My Fair Lady” (Lerner and Loewe)
“La Speranza E Guinta In Porto” from Handel’s opera “Ottone”
“Somewhere”. From “West Side Story” (Leonard Bernstein)
“Rusalka’s Song to The Moon” from Dvorak’s opera “Rusalka”
“Habanera” from Bizet’s opera “Carmen”
A video of Hazel's performance can be accessed below
Hazel sang with great commitment, expression and sincerity, and her voice carried very well in the dry acoustic of the Function Room. Although only 17 years old, she is already, in my view, singing with a maturity beyond her years, and I am sure we will hear much more of her in the future. Many thanks indeed, Hazel!
Thanks too, to Hazel’s mum Lucy, who managed the pre-recorded accompaniment - no easy task under pressure as anyone who’s tried it will know!
As far as I’m aware, this type of musical event at a “normal” Friday meeting is a first for the club. On 27 September, Alannah Saphir, an excellent young flautist, will be joining us, and I’m in the process of arranging a few more musical delights from aspiring young musicians during the rest of my “reign”.
President Mike.
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