Giving Handel a helping hand

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 26

Giving Handel a helping hand

A young Christchurch musician, Christopher Archer, of Xavier College, has won the elementary original composition section of the 1980 Wales Bank School Music contest. His winning composition, “Gigue in E minor for Piano antj Flute,” was based on the work of Handel which, he said, was very complicated and often difficult. “I thought I would teach him a lesson by writing' something simpler in the; same style,” he said. Mr Archer, aged 17, has been studying music at the college since the third form and was taking composition this year as part of the UnU| versity Entrance syllabus. He began playing the piano l

i.at the age of nine, when he ,-was taught by Sister Daniels isat the Addington Convent. ■IHe recently sat the grade I;eight Trinity College music :i examination. He hopes to composing and .•eventually to teach music. • John Rogers, of Burnside : High School, was fourth r equal in the advanced section I; with a composition, “Quartet : jn E Minor.” Letricia Hewiti son and Lena Milanovich, of ;iAvonside Girls’ High School, “•were highly commended in the elementary section with ; a composition, ’Walkin’ Gut : for voices and piano.” '! The winning compositions will be performed at the 'i national final of the contest rat Wellington on August 10.