Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Hemans

Piano student Adrian Hemans is the first person to receive a scholarship for exceptional performance in the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Examination.

Hemans, who is a final-year student at the Edna Manley College of the Performing Arts' School of Music, received the highest mark in level seven of the exam last year. He then tied for first with another student, Armardo Blake, in this year's exam.

Hemans is also the first Jamaican student and person in the world to take the exam. He was awarded a generous scholarship in April from the Conservatory Canada for his historic accomplishment.

Each year, Conservatory Canada awards scholarships worth in excess of Can$30,000 to deserving young musicians. Their scholarship endowment funds are deposited with the London Community Foundation and the University of Alberta in Canada. The interest from these funds provides annual scholarships in perpetuity.

According to Victoria Warwick, executive director of Conservatory Canada, scholarships are awarded based on performance in examinations during the academic year, as well as specific criteria, such as instrument, grade or place of residence.

The award received by Adrian is a landmark for the college and Jamaica. "It was more fun than a regular exam because it's music," 22-year-old Hemans told The Sunday Gleaner.

presentation

His presentation included Tenderly by Walter Gross, Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk and Senor Mouse by Chick Corea. During the exam Hemans also had to do technical exercises. This means he had to have an understanding of intervals and be able to know the distance between notes from only hearing the music.

Prior to the exam he practised for four months.

"I was practising slowly then gradually speeding up, learning the pieces and trying to play them with the proper dynamics and sometimes with dynamics of my own. And I have to arrange one of my own. I had to balance the technical and the arrangement of the pieces while practising," Hemans said.

During this time he had other engagements, like his band Kurfew and schoolwork. However, for Hemans the key to being successful is proper time management and being dedicated.

"I tried not to get rehearsal time (for the band) in the way. When I have free time in the day I would practise for the exam and school. I would rehearse for the gigs at night. Practising for school is like practising for the exam," said Hemans.

way of life

He added: "Music is a way of life. Sometimes people ask me if that is all I do 'cause they always see me listening to music. I am an example; if you work hard enough you will achieve it."

Despite his love for playing the piano, Hemans was initially introduced to the bass guitar in church, but after being taught how to play the piano he fell in love with the instrument.

"The piano was more exciting and interesting to me. I decided that I wanted to make it into a career so I went to Edna Manley college," said Hemans.