MOSSEL BAY NEWS - International Representatives of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) took advantage of the move online and began a Global High Scorers' Concert initiative in 2020.
ABRSM is recognised as the leading provider of music assessment and holds exams in more than 90 countries worldwide.
Thousands of music students across South Africa alone enter each year and to be included in this concert series is a remarkable achievement.
Two learners from Point High School, Maia Leonard and Handri Viljoen, had the privilege of participating in this prestigious event.
The concert celebrates high scorers who have taken part in the ABRSM music exams. High Scorers' Concerts are held locally for candidates who achieve distinctions for their music exams.
"Performing, whether on a real or virtual stage, is one of the absolute joys of being a musician: after the long hours of practice and preparation, the opportunity to share your musical story and to transport the listener away from their immediate thoughts and surroundings, at least for a moment.
"ABRSM is a global organisation supporting music education in 93 countries. In my role as chief executive, I am reminded every day of the power of music to connect, unite and bring people together," says chief executive of the ABRSM, Chris Cobb.
Maia Leonard
Maia is a Grade 10 learner at Point High School. She studies the flute as her main instrument under the guidance of Louise van Wyk-Visser.
Maia passed the ABRSM Grade 5 Flute Performance with distinction in 2021. Prior to that her highest achievement was when she was included in the UNISA Roll of Honour for practical candidates for her achievement in the recorder (soprano) Grade 4 examination and for passing the Grade 5 UNISA recorder examination with distinction.
Since starting her musical education at the age of six, Maia has actively participated in the Mossel Bay annual eisteddfod in both recorder and flute on a regular basis. She has also been a dedicated member of her Primary School Choir. Maia has performed at the Point High School Prestige Concert for the past two years, both as solo flutist and as a member of the school's ensemble group.
A highlight this year was when Maia came third in her group of participants for wind instruments in the fifth edition of the international Nouvelles Etoiles Online Music Competition.
Handri Viljoen
Handri is a Grade 12 learner at Point High School. She started playing music instruments in primary school, but vocals became her main focus two years ago.
Her music teachers are Louise van Wyk-Visser and Stefanie Keyser, who have helped her to successfully complete her Grade 4 ABRSM vocal exam.
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