A young pianist celebrated his 15th birthday by winning a musical competition open to all secondary state schools in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Rajen Nagar, of De Lisle Catholic School in Loughborough, secured the judges’ decision after soloists and choirs from a dozen schools had each played or sang last night [March 12] in front of more than 200 friends and family members at the event created by Leicester law firm Howes Percival.

Rajen, who has only been playing the piano for a few years, was named the winner of A Musical High, a new competition organised by Howes Percival and the Arts & Business organisation. He wins £1,500 for music equipment for his school and £150 in music vouchers for himself.

His mum and dad Tina and Mukesh said they were very proud of their son’s achievement. Mukesh said: “When he was playing it made me cry because I was so happy. I saw how he captured the audience. It was just amazing; this is the first time he has made that leap to being a true performer.”

The Head of Music at De Lisle, Lyndsay Grimes, said: “I’m so pleased for Rajen, just so proud of him. Maybe we can spend the money on a new piano in his honour.”

Rajen, who tackled music by Chopin, said: “I’m very surprised but very pleased. The standard of music played today was so great. Winning is such a great birthday present; this moment will always stay in my memory.”

In second place was saxophonist Will Todd, 16, of the Lancaster School in Knighton, Leicester, who played Charlie Parker’s Donna Lee. The judges declared that Will had “simply let fly” with the piece. In third place was Harriet Eyley, of Ashby School. Harriet, 16, sang an operatic aria, with the judges commenting that she is “immensely talented, with a truly lovely voice”.

The finalists from the dozen schools had already made it through tough auditions and were each praised by the judges: Paul Kerryson, the artistic director of the new Curve theatre in Leicester; Howes Percival partner Alison Macfarlane; Debbie Read, the Arts & Business East Midlands Regional Director; and Curve media officer Atiqa Rehman.

Mr Kerryson last week gave each finalist a masterclass in the art of performance. He said: “All the performances were such a high standard, we had to look for that something extra, that x-factor.”

The evening concert of classical and traditional music took place at the University of Leicester. The competition was organised by Leicester law firm Howes Percival with support from Arts & Business East Midlands. The award is part of a year of community initiatives by Howes Percival to mark the first decade of its office in Leicester.

Alison Macfarlane said: “What a great evening, with such amazing young talents on show. Howes Percival is delighted to have marked our first decade in Leicester with such a positive event.”

Ms Read said: “The competition has been a fantastic project; a great example of business and the arts working together.”

The full list of finalists:

Tom Hillsden - Piano - Abington High School - Wigston
Harriet Eyley - Singer - Ashby School - Ashby
Gemma Toach - Clarinet - Countesthorpe Community College - Countesthorpe
Rajen Nagar - Piano - De Lisle School - Loughborough
Jovia Gao - Cello - Gartree High School - Oadby
Will Todd - Saxophone - Lancaster School - Leicester
Mathew Hampton Trumpet - Longslade Community College - Birstall
Jessica Voller- Bell - Singer - Rawlins Community College - Quorn
Renate McKenzie-Onah -Piano - Sir Jonathan North Community College -Leicester
Gospel choir - Choir - St Paul’s School - Leicester
Choir Choir -Thomas Estley Community College - Broughton Astley
Andrew Redfern - Piano - Uppingham Community College - Uppingham

Winners and judges: (l-r) A Musical High winner Rajen Nagar (centre, sitting) with judges Atiqa Rehman and Alison Macfarlane, runner-up Will Todd, judge Debbie Read, runner-up Harriet Eyley and judge Paul Kerryson.

Judge, winner and teacher: A Musical High winner Rajen Nagar (centre, sitting) with judge Alison Macfarlane from Howes Percival (left) and Lyndsay Grimes, head of music at De Lisle Catholic School.

D62215-011	D62215-012	D62215-013
D62215-015	D62215-016	D62215-017
D62215-018

D62215-001	D62215-002	D62215-003	D62215-004	D62215-005
D62215-006	D62215-007	D62215-008	D62215-009	D62215-010
D62215-019	D62215-020	D62215-021	D62215-022	D62215-023
D62215-024	D62215-025	D62215-026	D62215-027	D62215-028

If you would like any further details or to speak to Alison Macfarlane at Howes Percival, please call Andy Gilgrist on 01536 772256 or 07989 562517

If you would like to use or purcase these photos please contact:
Neville Chadwick Photography
59 Long Street, Wigston,
Leicester, LE18 2AJ
011628 81568

Howes Percival’s year of Reach projects began last spring and has included: volunteering with the Riverside Rangers to clear the invasive pennywort plant from a section of the River Soar; learning the ancient art of hedgelaying; sponsor the East Midlands Food Festival at Brooksby, do a garden makeover at a charitable hostel for the elderly in Highfields; take Leonard Cheshire residents Christmas shopping, raise money tackling the Three Peaks; and sponsor two Paralympians.
www.howespercival.com

Through 12 regional offices, Arts & Business acts as a crucible where businesses and arts organisations come together to create partnerships to benefit themselves and the community at large. Arts & Business aspires to be the world’s most successful and widespread creative network. The organisation helps business people support the arts, and the arts to inspire greater business success. Whether raising a company’s profile, investing in its local communities, or training staff, the work Arts & Business does with business is unique and inspirational. Arts & Business believes that partnerships between arts and business organisations can bring benefits to both and to the wider community while focussing on real business objectives.
For further inspiration go to www.AandB.org.uk