Flautist is runner up in national music competition (From Harrow Times)
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Merchant Taylor pupil from Northwood is runner up in Emunah Young Musician of the Year 2013 contest.
3:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Jaber Mohamed
Rafi Kelion, 15, from Northwood with Malcolm Singer, Teresa Cahill, Michelle Hirschfield, Annabel Lawrence and Amos Sharp. Picture taken by John Rifkin
A 15-year old flute player from Northwood was "speechless" when he learnt how close he had come to winning a national music competition.
Rafi Kelion, a student at Merchant Taylor School, was “speechless" on receiving the news that he won second place in Emunah Young Musician of the Year 2013 contest.
Mr Kelion played two movements from John Rutter’s Suite Antique during which he impressed the judges with his “fine musical performance, articulation and shaping of phrases”.
This was the first time a pupil from the school has entered the national competition which attracted dozens of entries from around the country.
He performed in the heats and was one of eleven finalists chosen to perform in a showcase concert which took place at the Royal College of Music in Kensington on Sunday March 3.
Mr Kelion said: “The concert was a lot of fun and I’m pleased to have been chosen.
“I’ve been learning the flute since I was six-years-old and I practise every night.”
Mr Kelion is a member of Harrow Young Musicians and has toured Venice with the group.
He plays the piano, piccolo and alto saxophone and also enjoys drama and sport.
The flautist was joint runner-up with bassoon player Annabel Lawrence, 15, from Leeds and the overall winner was violinist Amos Sharp, 11, from Golders Green.
The judges were Malcolm Singer, director of music at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, opera singer Teresa Cahill and pianist Norma Fisher.
