The Eskdale Festival of the Arts has come around again and we are thrilled with the results across the speech, drama and music classes. The festival offers a chance for pupils to share their talents and get feedback from professional judges with many years experience in the creative and performing arts.
Excellent Results for Fyling Hall School Students
Many of our pupils have been awarded certificates and several were asked to perform at the Gala Concert that ends the festival. But more than that every pupil who has taken part has done themselves proud. Taking a risk and performing on stage in front of a live audience is a scary thing to do and we are proud of all of our pupils who have performed at the festival.
You can see the competition results at the bottom of this page.
The first senior pupils to perform at the Festival were from our drama department, some of our drama pupils share their experiences:
Isobel:
At the Eskdale Festival I performed Leah from DNA by Dennis Kelly and Ophelia from Hamlet. I got 1st and 2nd places. I was also asked to go to the Gala for my Shakespeare performance which I am so excited about.
When I got on stage I was nervous but when I got into my character I completely forgot I was performing in front of people. I enjoyed doing it as I had friends who were doing it with me. My nanny and Mum watched me win the Shakespeare and it was the best feeling ever. A big thank you Mrs Jeeves for helping me, I will definitely be doing it again next year.
Bonnie:
I enter the Eskdale Festival every year and it’s a wonderful experience every time, a great way to boost confidence and improve your performance skills. I also won a first place for my ‘Girls like that’ monologue which was great. My family and friends all were great supporters and I’m excited to perform at the Gala concert.
Isaac: Eskdale Festival was a treat. I got to see a lot of different great performances by multiple amazing people. I was scared before I got on the stage but after my monologue I felt a sense of relief since I had completed my performance.
I won the first place in my category performing a monologue from Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale. I am grateful that Mrs Jeeves offered me the opportunity to join the Eskdale Festival and help me gain more experience on stage.
Mrs Jeeves, Head of Drama, says “In the senior school it is our 10th year sending pupils for the speech and drama classes. We are thrilled with the continued success of pupils entering the festival with first places in many classes. But more than this the confidence, poise and sense of achievement all pupils get from taking part is invaluable.”
Later in the week our talented musicians took to the stage in solo and duet classes. There are over 50 instrumental and vocal lessons taking part each week with our experienced peripatetic staff and many pupils taking lessons in two or more instruments.
We were thrilled that many wanted to enter the Festival to share their skills with a wider audience. Below Emilie shares her experience at the festival:
Emilie:
Eskdale Festival was a great experience. I got to play in front of a lovely audience and show off all my hard work on one of my favourite piano pieces I have ever played- A Distant Star In The Stillness by David A.T Onac- and managed to place first which I am very happy with.
I’m very proud of Maddie who was also in my class, she played very well and came second by playing Hound Dog. It was very upbeat and a joy to listen to. Ellie was in the class after Maddie; she demonstrated an amazing repertoire which was mesmerising to listen to.
Dance Competition
For the first year one of our pupils attended the Festival to dance. Anya dances with St Hilda’s Studio, Sleights and took part in the solo dance category. She won first place and was thrilled with her result.
Anya:
I have performed in the Eskdale Festival since I was very young but this is my first time competing in the dance category. I performed the Cupid Variation from Don Quixote which is one of my all-time favourites.
I was nervous to perform as the stage was a little small so I was scared I was going to crash but as soon as the music began I forgot about the size of the stage and just enjoyed dancing for an audience. I won first place and I am thrilled with my results. I was asked to perform in the Gala but sadly I am away-I would have loved to perform in it.
Junior School Competition
Fyling Hall Junior School took part in several classes at the Eskdale Festival of the Arts. The Junior School pupils won every class they entered, a remarkable acheivement! Choral speaking was a particular highlight as was the beautiful singing of the choir.
The choir were invited back and performed in the gala concert. All our pupils had worked hard throughout the term rehearsing and really put forward their best performance at both the competition and then the Gala Concert.
Drama Competition Results
| Name | Category | Placement |
| Skye Telling | Verse speaking | 1st |
| Megan Fusco | Verse speaking | 2nd |
| Jensen Storr | Verse speaking | 3rd |
| Geonuk Cho | Verse speaking | Commended |
| Skye Telling | Poetry composition | 1st |
| Isaac Chan | Monologue year 11 and under | 1st |
| Isobel Anderson | Shakespeare solo | 1st |
| Megan Fusco | Shakespeare solo | 2nd |
| Izzy Greenwood | Shakespeare solo | 3rd |
| Bonnie Grenfell | Monologue year 9 and under | 1st |
| Isobel Anderson | Monologue year 9 and under | 2nd |
| Jonas Atkinson | Monologue year 9 and under | 3rd |
Music Competition Results
| Name | Category | Placement |
| Skye Telling | Piano solo Y9 & under | 1st |
| Izzy Emmerson | Guitar solo Y9 & under | 1st |
| Emilie Moss | Piano solo Y11 & under | 1st |
| Maddie Pearson | Piano solo Y11 & under | 2nd |
| Ellie Walsh | Piano recital Y11 & under | 1st |
| Isobel Anderson | Musical Theatre | 1st |
Dance Competition Results
|
Name |
Category |
Placement |
|
Anya Legg |
Solo Dance year 11 and under |
1st |