It is not for the first year that "Musica Nova" Russian-British Music Academy invites for annual Christmas Gala concert. And each time – as in a multi-colour kaleidoscope – numbers of the program develop in a unique pattern. Under the high arches of St. Pancras Church, that in the center of London, sound shy chords of small debutants and the confident passages of senior pupils and students, children's songs and arias from operas, original arrangements and classical numbers. Let some fragments of this representation will help you to present an atmosphere which reigned on Gala concert on Friday, December the 12th, 2008.
DASHA'S BOW
When the presenter has announced a name of 6 years old Dasha Kondratieva, it was necessary for some spectators to raise up to see the girl going to a stage – her blond head was almost level with backs of church benches. But here is the stage … Dasha sits down at a grand piano and starts to play confidently and easily the «Little French Song» by P.I.Tchaikovsky. And suddenly – the pause … Dasha darts a glance at the teacher Evgenia Terentieva and, under her encouraging sight, finishes the piece without a knot and a problem. This deserved applause, and Dasha as it is necessary sound, bows, however not towards the audience, but towards the teacher. Then escapes, having forgotten to accept a New Year's gift which was handed over to all participants of the concert. This touching episode has caused a kind smile in many spectators. But behind a seeming ease and an easy manner of little Dasha's performance is the third year of persistent work. In the beginning in a group for the smallest pupils under the direction of Liliia Rogova, who introduces 3-4 year old kids into the world of music with the special «Music Wonderland Programme». From last year Dasha has passed to individual lessons with Åvgenia Terentieva, director of the Academy. Evgenia has time to combine work of the head of school with numerous classes of piano, vocal and mastery. According to Evgenia, such pupils as Dasha, have an opportunity to continue stage-by-stage training in the Musica Nova, beyond official Grades of the British system of music education. But about it later. For now we shall return to a concert where Dasha, certainly, received her gift. For the teacher though involuntary, but sincere bow of the small schoolgirl became a gift.
DO NOT CHOOSE PUPILS, CHOOSE PARENTS
Probably, cynics will interpret this phrase in their own way. But in lips of one of the teacher's of the Academy, Julia Dovgiallo, it is a praise to address of parents, who frequently endow much to enable the children to be engaged in music. Also it is a question not only of material means, but first of all, about time given to practicing at home, for road up to school and home which in conditions of London, frequently turns to long enough way. However, it is better to describe by music rather than in words the talent of one of the pupil's of the Academy. Eight years old Orlando De La Vega Awada has started to learn violin one and a half years ago. For this short time, his teacher Julia Dovgiallo speaks, he has already reached a level of repertoire equivalent of the 5th Grade, that is enough complex for its age. «I set to him to prepare one piece and he will prepare two instead», - Julia continues, - "in the past year over Easter holidays Orlando has learnt the book calculated for the whole year". Certainly, without talent it is heavy to achieve such success. But in case of Orlando such powerful factor, as support of his mum Lola helps immensely. When teachers can hope for the help of parents, children always win. Lola herself dreamed to become in the childhood the musician or ballerina. But this dream did not come true. "I wish Orlando's way will be different", - she says. Orlando who performed both on a violin and piano on the concert, looks assured and not on years serious. As Lola admitted, before a concert he was terribly worried, but has not submitted to a kind. And when both performances were behind, Orlando got a naughty smile. And he at once has turned into the ordinary boy. By the way, to those who is not familiar with features of the "Musica Nova" Academy, I shall add, that the teachers here are bilingual. They teach both in Russian, and in English. So representatives of the most different nationalities who appreciate traditions and experience of Russian music school of teaching performed beside children from Russian-speaking families.
UNIQUE CHILDREN
HSH Princess Natalia Eromina Youssoupoff was invited to the "Musica Nova" Gala concert as the Guest of Honour. On behalf of the "Prelude" charitable fund she has expressed readiness to support in the future most talented students of the Academy. Natalia Grigorievna has noted especial feature of this music school – uniqueness of children who speak in two, three languages, absorb in themselves not only British, but also the native cultures, be it culture of Russia or other countries. Evgenia Terentieva, the Founder & Principal of the "Musica Nova" Academy, explains that financing is one of major problems which is solved with the help of a team and at support of sponsors. Such, for example, as the known British company " Markson pianos" or a network of shops " Êàlinka ". With their help similar concerts are organised and gifts for children are prepared. But most importantly, means for support of young talents are necessary. Now, for example, in the Academy there is a unique grant-aided student – Olga Muntyanu. The audience appreciated her spiritual performance of the 1st part of the Pathetic sonata by L. Beethoven. "We wish that there were more grant-aided students", - says Evgenia. One of the objectives of the Academy is to enable gifted students to further their development within the Academy.
One more especial feature of this school is age of students, more truly, absence of restrictions on age. Those who once could not cross a threshold of music school for any reasons, but has not lost thirst of self-improvement, can find the present support from teachers of the Academy. Mrs. Oki Hur Harniman, a fine soprano, an accomplished artist from South Korea, for some time was trying to find the singing teacher who would help her to develop remarkable natural abilities. She has found the teacher only from the third attempt. Evgenia Terentieva is the teacher who has inspired Oki and gave her confidence in herself. Among adult students of the teacher Yuri Verevkine in vocal and guitar castegories were poet and singer/bard Vitaly Bet and young singer Anne Gelebart.
The highlight of the concert were performances by guest artists: ballerina Anna Milon (teacher Olga Tkhruni) and little stars from "Diana" modeling agency under direction of Gulnara Kursalina. Behind shoulders of these kids and teenagers – participation in various competitions of the international level where they showed not only skill to work on a podium, but also remarkable artistic talent.
I think, that general mood of the Gala concert was well expressed in a final number of the programme – a song of group "ÀBBA " "Thank you for the music" performed by all participants of this evening. If you wish to become also a part of a magic kaleidoscope which is given every year to the pupils and their parents by the "Musica Nova" Russian-British Music Academy, contact the school, and I am sure, that you will not regret.
Zina Urazalina
