By Justin Whyte, Senior Staff Reporter 

Christine McDonald performing at 'Music Festival 2001' held at the Jamaica School of Music, Edna Manley College For The Visual and Performing Arts. She is being accompanied on piano by Winston Ewart, director of studies at the school and Barry Wiliiams in performance at Festival 2001. He is being accompanied by Lloyd Hall,former Chief Education Officer, Music. - Winston Sill
THE ASSOCIATION of Music Teachers and Friends of the Arts opened its 2001 Music Festival last Thursday evening. A large gathering was on hand for the six-day festival's beginning, which will accommodate students entering both choral and instrumental music categories.
The daily competitions will be held at the launch venue, Jamaica School of Music, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, beginning at 4:00 p.m. for juniors and at 7:00 p.m. for seniors and adults.
Thursday's opening session saw students entering the competition in four classes. Tiffany Lau, who played Minuet In F by Mozart, was the only competitor in Class 1, Piano Solo 7 and under. She received an honours award.
Josephine Sylvester, who played Little Romance by Schumann, took first place from nine entries in the Class 4 Piano Solo for children 13 years and under. Second place winners were Domini Crandon and Toni Barnes playing Melody by Schumann and Mellow Fellow by Cornick respectively.
Jessica Yap's Allegro In C by Attwood was good enough for first place in Class 3, Piano Solo for 11 years and under. Paige Smith, playing the same piece, managed to take second, while Natasha Moodie's Donkey Drive by Hawkins trotted away with third place.
Jessica Yap was back in the winner's enclosure in Class 2 Piano Solo 9 and under, playing Shostakovich's March this time around. Second and third place winners were Kathryna Clarke and Jeanie Beck.
In the choral categories, Christine McDonald, contralto, gained honours for Silent Moon, by Ralph Vaughn Williams.
Dale Edwards and Barry Williams, competing in Class 8, Baritone/Bass Solo, performed Sombre Woods by Lully. Mr. Williams emerged the winner, although both men received high commendations from the adjudicator. However, it was the Concert Series Class, in which competitors were asked to present three pieces, that showcased some brilliant performances. Leanne Welds presented My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair by Haydn, a Jamaican folk song titled Dinah and I Have Dreamed from The King And I by Rogers and Hammerstein. She received favourable comments from the adjudicator.
In the same class, Barry Williams was awarded first place over Dale Edwards for his presentation of Money O by Michael Head, Trade Winds by Frederich Keel and O Mistress Mine by Roger Quilter. Both men gave splendid performances.
Lloyd Hall and Winston Ewart provided superb accompaniment for the choral competitors.
The Music Festival is held to give students who study choral and/or instrumental music at a specialist level a chance to exhibit their talents and be assessed under international conditions. For this reason, the association has secured the services of a British musician, Jonathan Marten, as the sole adjudicator for the duration of the festival.
This year's renewal is put on in association with Dehring Bunting and Golding and Lasco Foods.