Record numbers for Swainson Concert
The Betty Swainson Memorial Music Competition was held at Marsden on Tuesday 11 August, with a record number of 26 participants.
Betty Swainson Memorial Prize for Musical Performance
The Betty Swainson Memorial Prize for Musical Performance was established in our Centenary Year in 1978 and is open to a Marsden Year 7 - 13 student in recognition of her outstanding performance at the Swainson competition. The standard of entries was very high which made judging extremely difficult for our adjudicator Fiona McCabe.
We are delighted to congratulate the following winners in the junior category:
| Junior Prize | Name | Year | Type |
| Adjudicator’s Award | Louisa Boyer | Year 10 | Voice |
| Highly Commended | Valerie Howe | Year 8 | Violin |
| Marian Campbell Cup for Best Junior Performance on the night |
Freya McKeich | Year 10 | ‘cello |
Junior Prize winners: Louisa Boyer, Freya McKeich and Valerie Howe
And, congratulations to this year's senior winners:
| Senior Prize | Name | Year | Type |
| Adjudicator’s Award | Tiffany Kenyon | Year 11 | ‘cello |
| Highly Commended | Anabel Jamieson | Year 12 | Voice |
| Betty Swainson Cup for Best Senior Performance on the night |
Kellen Zeng | Year 13 | Harp |
Senior Prize winners: Anabel Jamieson, Kellen Zeng and Tiffany Kenyon
Nell Clere Music Scholarship
Kathleen (Nell) Clere was a past pupil and music teacher at Marsden. She helped establish the Old Girls’ Association with Miss Baber and in 1936 was its second president. Her support and interest in the school and its endeavours remained with her all her life. This scholarship is awarded annually by the Old Girl’s Association to a student from Years 7 – 12 who shows considerable potential. The scholarship will enable the recipient(s) to continue musical studies while at Marsden.
The Nell Clere Music Scholarship for 2020 was awarded to Isabella Wickremesekera, Year 12 who gave a fabulous rendition of 'Don't Rain on my Parade'. The Highly Commended prize for the Nell Clere Music Scholarship was awarded to Freya McKeich, Year 10 on the 'cello.
Nell Clere Scholarship winner, Isabella Wickremeskera
Highly Commended: Freya McKeich
A big thank you to our adjudicator Fiona McCabe, the Old Girls' Association and the New Family for the Highly Commended prizes.
Finally, congratulations to all participants, your performances were outstanding. We are blessed to have such a keen line-up of talented musicians at Marsden.
