MEDIA RELEASE: 2007 Geoffrey Parsons Award Finalists Announced

Adelaide: 11 July 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Final of The Accompanists’ Guild of SA’s 23rd Geoffrey Parsons Award, named in honour of Australia’s accompanist par excellence for singers, such as Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Victoria de los Angeles and Olaf Bär, takes place this Thursday evening, July 12th, at 7pm in the Hartley Concert Room at The University of Adelaide.

On Monday and Tuesday, six pianists completed the Stage One auditions performing prepared works with their chosen associates, sight reading and an unrehearsed reading of the set work, Schumann’s Märchenbilder No. 1, Nicht schnell with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra violist, Cecily Satchell.

The audition panel of noted musicians, Stephen Whittington, Leonie Hempton and Cecily Satchell judged the performances in terms of interpretation, style, technique, presentation and ensemble skills. Guild Founder and Secretary, Diana Harris said of the competition,

“The Finalists in the Parsons Award must exhibit the major requisites of the professional accompanist/associate artist through the preparation of works of their own choice, anticipation of the soloist’s requirements in the set work and presentation at sight of a convincing performance of unseen material with the soloist. When all other elements are equal it is often the sight reading that clinches a place in the Final.”

The three Finalists competing for prizes totalling $2500 on Thursday are:

• Thomas Saunders of McLaren Vale, SA
• Karl Geiger of Ridgehaven, SA
• Amir Farid of Bundoora, VIC

The Jury will be chaired by Pianist in Residence for the 2007 Festival of Accompanists, Jean-Paul Sévilla,. He will be joined by audition judges Stephen Whittington and Leonie Hempton. The Accompanists’ Guild of South Australia’s Geoffrey Parsons Award is made possible by the support of Allans Music, The Elder Conservatorium and many generous individuals.

ENDS