Poppy McGhee, instrumental winner of Rotary District 1200 Young Musician Competition

YOUNG VIOLINIST WINS ROTARY DISTRICT MUSIC COMPETITION

Twelve year-old Poppy McGhee, a pupil at Hugh Sexey C of E Middle School, won the Rotary 1200 District Young Musician Competition (instrumental section) held recently at Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar. She beat other instrumentalists sponsored by Rotary clubs across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.

She played ‘Chant-Poème’ by Aram Khachaturian and ‘The Hot Canary’ by Paul Nero. Of the latter piece, Poppy said, “The Hot Canary makes me smile; I hope it makes you smile too.” Her playing was described by the three adjudicators as ‘demonstrating complete mastery of her instrument’ and having ‘captivated the audience’.

Poppy, who was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mendip now goes forward to the Rotary regional competition where she will compete against other young musicians from the south-west of England.