Award winners of the Nancy Blumer OS Butler Memorial Quest. Photo: Supplied.
Murrumbidgee Regional High student Leo Forner and Marian Catholic College’s Bethany Piva have won the instrumental and vocal categories of a major young musician talent quest in Griffith.
The Nancy Blumer OS Butler Memorial Quest, which took place on Friday 2 September at Griffith Regional Theatre, is a musical talent contest for those aged between 12 and 18 and residing within a 168 km radius of Griffith. Participants performed in front of a live audience and were judged by special guest adjudicator Hamish Tate, the director of Wagga’s Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
Mr Forner, 18, took out first place in the instrumental category for his performance of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor on the piano, while Ms Piva, 16, won the vocal category for her rendition of Stay by Rihanna. For both students, winning the top prize was the culmination of several years’ practice and music lessons.
“I’ve been playing piano since I was six years old … it’s harder when you’re younger and don’t want to practice but you get to a stage when you enjoy playing music,” Mr Forner said.
“The important thing is not to give up.”
Mr Forner has had a dream September. He also received an early offer for tertiary entry. He plans to do a double degree in music and international relations at the Australian National University.
Ms Piva said she’s been singing since she was in primary school and still takes lessons from popular Griffith music teacher Mechlene Nehme.
“I really enjoy singing, it comes very naturally,” Ms Piva said. Her advice to others is to “just give it a go”.
Her dream is to pursue a career in singing, but if that doesn’t happen she’d like to become a nurse.
The full list of award recipients for the quest were as follows:
Vocal
1st place: Bethany Piva
2nd place: Claudia Hopper
3rd place: Josephine Furore
Accompanist: Julius Furore
People’s choice: Bethany Piva
Instrumental
1st place: Leo Forner
2nd place: Julia Sergi
3rd place: Emma King
First timer award: Julia Sergi
People’s choice: Leo Forner
The quest is named after Griffith music icons Nancy Blumer and OS Butler. Nancy Butler moved to Griffith in 1922, where she formed the Girl Guides Association in Griffith and helped establish the Griffith branch of the Federated Music Club of Australia and the Arts Council of Australia. Her great-granddaughter Ruby Blumer is the marketing and promotions coordinator for Griffith City Council tourism. OS Butler funded an award for young vocalists in Griffith in 1978.
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