Fingernail on 25/2/2006 at 16:00
On 20th May I'll be performing live on BBC 2 from the Sage in Gateshead with the Northern Sinfonia orchestra, playing the Rodrigo Fantasia para un gentilhombre concerto for guitar (yes, guitar!) in the final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
I'm the first guitarist finalist since 1982, beating off the other string finalists (cello, two violins and a double bassist). That happened yesterday. To make it clear, there are 5 finalists, one from each of: keyboard, percussion, brass, woodwind and strings. I'm strings, fairly obviously. And yeah, guitar and harp don't really belong in strings and piano is a percussion instrument and what have you but that's how it works for now.
Oh hell yeah I feel happy and smug and guiltily jubilant all at once OH HELL YEAH :D
The judges took over 50 minutes to decide, it was pretty stiff competition. Everyone played, and most importantly looked great.
(to those who buy tickets - you're perfectly welcome, of course, it's a public concert)
read up on the other string finalists who didn't make it, and see a lol photo of my wonderful modest self, and read up about the competition in general at
(
http://www.bbc.co.uk/youngmusician/competition/semifinals_biogs_strings.shtml)
EDIT oh wait one more thing before you hit back in disgust, I'm trying to think of a decent domain name or website name to start a website, so hilarious suggestions most welcome please send a SAE to:
cabellero on 25/2/2006 at 16:10
Wow, congratulations! I did backstage work for the Young Musician of the Year competition when it was in the North West finals (or something like that :weird:)- the quality I saw there was unbelieveable so well done for getting through. I might be working on the Evolution festival in Newcastle that week (20th - 29th) which is right next to the Sage, so I'll pop down.. got any passes? ;)
Enchantermon on 25/2/2006 at 16:13
Congratulations, Fingernail! Good luck with the concert! And do be careful to not break your G string. ;)
Paz on 25/2/2006 at 16:15
\m/ \m/ Rodrigo Fantasia para un gentilhombre concerto \m/ \m/
Congrats man!
Malygris on 25/2/2006 at 16:20
Congratulations and best of luck. Shame I won't be able to watch the competition - no Beeb around here - so be sure to keep us updated when you can.
Low Moral Fiber on 25/2/2006 at 18:59
Damn, man. HAIL AND WELL MET.
Good luck, congratulations!
Para?noid on 25/2/2006 at 19:01
Godspeed, man. You have my axe!
Gingerbread Man on 25/2/2006 at 19:10
He obviously has his own axe, you tit, otherwise participation in the competition would be A BIT SLOW.
Go go Fingernail!
The bit about beating off a cellist, two violinists, and a double-bassist sounds a bit progressive, though. We don't have those sorts of contests over here. Not officially, anyway.
Dia on 25/2/2006 at 19:11
And my sword! Congratulations and well done!
I would be there in a heartbeat for your concert if there were any possible way. Best wishes & broken legs & all that! :thumb:
