As local talent disregards damp conditions to participate in celebration of music

Undaunted by the damp conditions, more than forty-five children entered the groveFACTOR talent showcase as part of this year’s groveSTOCK musical celebration which took place in Grove Park, Chiswick on 30th June.

Playing a wide range of instruments from violin to drums, or singing, the students participated in the showcase before a panel of professional musicians. Celebrity broadcaster and DJ Mike Read presented the awards with main sponsor and local businessman, Andrew Nunn.

The winner of the coveted groveSTOCK cup and awarded most talented performer was Sophie Simonds aged 11, from Broomfield House School.

Sophie played Russian Fantasia No. 2 by Leo Portnoff on the violin and Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin on the saxophone.

Sophie has recently passed grade 5 violin and grad 6 jazz saxophone, both with distinction. She won a cash prize of £60.00.

Other winners were:

• Most promising performer - Courtney Woodman, aged 11
• Most entertaining performers - Taga Obano-Cox and Kareba Kariuki, both aged 11
• Best band - Rockfire, Joshua Finerty and Max McGregor both aged 10.

groveSTOCK will return to Grove Park in June 2008.

Photographs courtesy of Ian Trowbridge

July 13, 2007