Feeling thrill — and terror — of performing
Christopher Eldridge was only 7 when he began learning the piano from Adrienne van Drimmelen.
He continued studying with Adrienne, a life member of the Napier Performing Arts Competitions Society (NPACS), until she was forced to retire last year due to ill health. For the last 10 years, Christopher has competed in the NPACS Easter Festival, but is now studying at Canterbury University so won’t be performing this year.
When he first competed, in 2009, he won the Beeby Rose Bowl for the most promising performer and, along with winning other trophies, championships and scholarships, went on to receive the Mayor of Napier’s Award for the performer showing the most potential.
As a reward for winning the junior scholarship in 2013, Adrienne arranged for Christopher to have a lesson with Gary Bowler on the organ of the Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Napier. From this experience, he developed a love for the instrument and continued to have lessons from Gary up until leaving for university earlier this year.
Christopher has competed in and won the HB Institute of Registered Music Teachers’ Junior and Intermediate Scholarships, has been selected to play at three examiner’s choice concerts and for the finals of the HB Young Musician of the Year contest, both on piano (2017) and pipe organ (2019), as well as winning this prestigious competition on piano in 2017.
Last year Christopher joined the Dover Community Youth Choir on their annual tour of England, singing along with them in York Minster, Ampleforth Abbey and St Alban’s Cathedral, as well as in Dover. At the same time, Christopher has learnt viola and last year gained ABRSM Grade 8.
Over the years, Christopher has also competed in the NZ Community Trust Chamber Music Contest and The Big Sing, performed at concerts in the Pan Pac Foyer of the Municipal Theatre in Napier and in St Matthews Church in Hastings, as well as being the musician for Blood Brothers and Bad Jelly the Witch.
Christopher found that performing in public has played an invaluable role in his development as a musician.
“I have long struggled with nerves in performance but my participation in the Easter Festival have given me the chance to develop skills to manage this.”
He would, therefore, thoroughly recommend any aspiring musician, dancer or singer to give it a go, to experience the thrill, and the terror, of performing in public.
■ Hawke’s Bay Easter Festival, Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11. Tickets available from Ticketek or from the box office one hour prior to each performance.