PINDIMAR teen Emily Legge said she felt “pleased and relieved” after completing her HSC Music Practical Examination last week.

Although Emily is only in Year 11, an innovative approach to Senior Studies at Medowie Christian School enabled her to complete the Preliminary and HSC Music Courses in just 12 months.

Emily performed four piano solos which included Chopin’s Nocturne 0p.3, the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven and Comptine Aute Ete by contemporary French composer Yann Tiersen.

Her preparation for the examination was in good hands with the assistance of her school music teacher Mr Brendan Wright along with Hawks Nest pianist Michael Harvey and Tea Gardens piano teacher Margaret Rowling.

Despite spending up to five hours a day practicing the challenging pieces, Emily said she felt “quite nervous” facing the panel of external markers.

“All the practice and hard work I had put in over the past year came down to just 20 minutes,” Emily said.

“I was very happy with my performances and my friends were waiting for me when I came out, we all celebrated together,” she said.

With the HSC examination over, Emily said she is looking forward to just playing for leisure.

“I am going to keep learning piano and maybe take up the guitar as well,” she said.

“I’d also like to play in a duo with a friend just for fun.”

Emily told News Of The Area her interest in performing came from growing up surrounded by music.

“My father plays the guitar, my mother sings and brother DJ’s,” she said.

Emily will also sit the HSC Business Studies examination this year and will complete the remainder of her senior subjects in 2017.

More than 4,500 students statewide studied music as part of their Higher School Certificate this year.

Last week’s music examinations bring an end to the HSC practical marking.

Students now have a few weeks of study ahead of them in preparation for the HSC written examinations which commence with English on 13 October.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN