Hamish beats odds to be named Eisteddfod champion
(posted 09.08.10)
Last year, Hamish Lawler sat in the audience and watched the young brass performers at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod.
Hamish’s musical world had fallen apart. Doctors had found a rare genetic weakness in his larynx, which caused air to escape through his nose when he exerted pressure with his throat and prevented him from playing his beloved trumpet.
Doctors decided to operate to correct the problem but things went from bad to worse and Hamish was told he should choose another instrument – maybe the guitar - that would not put pressure on his larynx.
But Hamish would not give up and through sheer determination and a series of exercises, the Year 12 Matthew Flinders Anglican College student picked up the tenor horn under the mentoring of Flinders brass teacher John Thomas.
"I think I was a bit disheartened for a few weeks there but an instrument change brought that passion back," Hamish said.
On Sunday night (Aug 8), the 17-year-old from Coolum, who is a Music Scholar and is aiming to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music next year, was named Brass and Woodwind Champion 18 Years and Under at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod.
Proud father Mark said a year ago Hamish had never even blown a note on the tenor horn when John Thomas or “JT” as his students fondly call him, suggested Hamish try his beloved instrument.
Mr Thomas, who played the tenor horn as a nine-year-old at the very first Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod 43 years ago, even allowed Hamish to use his cherished instrument.
“He’d never even let anyone blow a note on it before,” Mark said.
The pair has worked together over the past year, building up Hamish’s musical strength.
On Sunday night (Aug 8), Hamish’s performance of Fantasie Concertante by T H Hoch, saw him win huge praise from the adjudicator - and the Championship trophy. Hamish and Nic Hill also took out first place in the Brass Instrumental Duet 18 Years and Under section.
Mr Thomas, who, for the record, won his tenor horn section 43 years ago, competed in every eisteddfod until he was too old to compete at age 18.
Today, Mr Thomas is brass teacher and instrumental coordinator at Matthew Flinders Anglican College. Together with Flinders Head of Music Nick Campbell, the pair is inspiring hundreds of young musicians every day to achieve their musical dreams.
At the 2010 Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod, Matthew Flinders Anglican College's Music Department earned the highest of praise from the guest adjudicator, Nathan Schilling.
Flinders took out first place in the Stage Band and Concert Band Ensemble sections. The College String Orchestra (Secondary), the Flinders String Orchestra (Primary) and the Flinders Band (Primary) were also awarded first place in their sections. (read story)
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