Classical musicians excel

Classical

musicians excel

Christine Jeon (Year 11) performing with her brother Samuel Jeon (OC 2021) in the Centennial Chapel.

Winner of prestigious classical competition

Jasmine Hooker (Year 10), with Joshua Hooker and Ryan Gu from Christ’s College

Second at New Zealand Chamber Music Contest

An exceptional performance of Piano Trio No. 1 by Mendelssohn saw Year 10 student, Jasmine Hooker, win second place and the Helen Young National Award at the national finals of the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest. Jasmine played cello as part of the Berlin Trio, alongside her brother Joshua and Ryan Gu, a former St Andrew’s College Preparatory School student. After submitting a video recording of Debussy’s Cello Sonata in D minor to the 2022 Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival Competition, Christine Jeon (Year 11) says she was shocked to win first prize in the Strings Open Age category, from entries submitted from musicians around the world, including Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. “At first, I doubted the results and thought the winner could be someone with the same name as me from somewhere else in the world. But after I realised, I was so excited and happy.”

At just 15 years of age, the win in one of Australia’s most prestigious classical festivals is a remarkable achievement. Christine recorded the sonata in the Centennial Chapel, alongside her brother, Samuel Jeon (OC 2021), on piano. He is another incredible musician, who is currently studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Last year, the siblings paired with Head Prefect, Grace Lawrence (Year 13), to win the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest.

Christine says Debussy is her favourite composer, with the sonata based on a clown arguing with the moon. “The crazy technical aspects of this piece really showed the characteristics of a clown which I was naturally drawn to. The French style was completely new to me, but I was confident the piece could grab people’s attention just like it grabbed mine.”

The support of St Andrew’s, particularly the Music Department, is important to Christine, who is a member of the Symphony Orchestra and chamber groups. “Not only does St Andrew’s give me the best opportunities to perform, the way the College supports me as a person is indescribably great. It was very meaningful to record the sonata in the Centennial Chapel, which has a lovely resonance. Every time I look at this video it will remind me of the College’s support.”

After leaving school, Christine plans to pursue a career as a cellist, performing around the world.

Jasmine says the trio was surprised and incredibly happy with the result. “The standard of the eight groups in the final was extremely high. We all felt proud of our performance and were exhilarated to be awarded second place.”

Jasmine has been learning cello and piano for almost 10 years. It was only at the start of this year that she and her brother, Joshua, formed the Berlin Trio with Ryan Gu, who Jasmine has known since primary school. “The three us have the same piano teacher. To prepare for the competition we had a weekly lesson with him, and a few lessons from other musicians to get different perspectives on how to blend the string instruments with the piano.”

This is the fourth year in a row that St Andrew’s College has been represented at the national finals of this prestigious contest. Jasmine was part of another trio, with two St Andrew’s students, which was selected for the District recall, but they had to withdraw due to COVID-19. She currently plays with the Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra at St Andrew’s, and sings with Stacchorus. “We were grateful that St Andrew’s invited the Berlin Trio to perform at the Orchestra/ Chamber Concert evenings and as part of school chapel services leading up to the national final. This was so valuable as it helped us to become more comfortable playing in front of different audiences. The Music teachers and some students also came to support us during the Christchurch and District rounds and South Island finals.”

Jasmine says music will be a lifelong passion, and one day she hopes to pass on her musical knowledge, as her Music teachers have done for her.