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| Percussive start for Euros |
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| Monday, 14 May 2007 | |
 Percussive start for Euros22 year old marimba player Lin Chin-Cheng representing Belgium became the 4th European Solo Champion at the Sir Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham On May 3rd With a thrilling performance of the Ney Rosauro ‘Concerto for Marimba’ – all from memory, he beat off the challenge of Steven Walsh on Euphonium representing England and Steffan Mearsk on trombone representing Denmark. Steven performed the Kenneth Downie ‘Euphonium Concerto’, whilst Steffan played the ‘Concerto for Trombone’ by Rimsky Korsakov.Very happy ”I am very happy to have won, I have enjoyed the competition so much, especially playing the concerto with the band tonight. The other finalists were excellent too. It means a great deal.” With the victory comes a first prize of 2500 Euro and glass trophy, whilst the runners up gained 2000 and 1500 respectively. Lin who is currently studying at a special percussion conservatoire was brought up in Taiwan, and moved to Belgium around six years ago to further his studies. He hopes on day to either become a professional musician or to teach. “I have lived and studied in Belgium as it has given me the opportunity to further my playing. One day I hope to play professionally at some level or to teach.” Immediate impression One thing Lin certainly did was make an immediate impression on an encouragingly large audience for the organisers. Dressed in what he described as a ‘mix’ of traditional dark red Chinese silk top, remarkable looking grey sash and black leather trousers, he quickly became completely immersed in the almost hypnotic Brazilian influenced music. It completely bowled over the hall as well as the members of Staffordshire Band who also voted to award him the separate performance prize. They too should be proud of their efforts in providing excellent accompaniment to all three finalists as well as a well managed series of concert items under the baton of Michael Fowles. The band had in fact had to learn no less than 12 full concerto pieces to ensure all eventualities were met come the final. No doubt about the winner though, although the two performances from the other finalists were of a high quality, whilst the organisers spoke of the impressive standard of playing that had been on show all week in the preliminary rounds. Lin Chin-Cheng though was a star and the Europeans couldn’t have asked to get off to a better start.Iwan Fox 4br |
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