Christmas creativity showcased in Perse Year 7 Arts Festival

9 Dec 2020

Lili Angus

Enrica Russo

A festive theme was at the heart of a very different 2020 Year 7 Arts Festival.

The annual event traditionally sees Year 7 pupils take part in creative and performing arts activities over the course of a single day. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the regular script had to be rewritten this year.

Instead, they were invited to let their creativity shine by being part of a seasonal showcase, submitting their Christmas-themed work into one of three categories – art, music and English/drama.

Perse Acting Head of Art Georgina Howling, who helped organised the event, said: “We have been so impressed to see busy students learning and adapting to new environments and finding the time to practise and perform or produce their piece. Well done to all who participated.”

Lili Angus won both the art and music categories with her entries.

In art, Lili created an intricate and beautiful wintry scene with acrylic paints, with Ms Howling commenting: “She achieved great texture and a very successful feeling of depth. You definitely feel a sense of atmosphere to this snowy landscape, a complex task for someone aged 11.

Meanwhile, Lili took the music honours with her performance of Walking in the Air, the iconic theme from The Snowman. Perse Director of Music Ben Wingfield said: “Well done to Lili for working out all of the constituent parts of this mammoth arrangement and performing them with such accomplishment, especially the piano part which can sometimes be tricky under the fingers. The cymbal crash was a particular highlight!”

Enrica Russo’s evocative snowy scene, painted with acrylics, and Alice Shaw’s rendition of Patri Roa Johansen and Silvia Lanao Aregay’s Snow is Falling earned special mentions in the art and music sections respectively.

To listen to the work of Lili and Alice, plus the other music entries, click here.

Emily Hill prevailed in the English and drama section with her short film Christmas Family. Perse Director of English and Drama Chris Green said: “Not only does the work feature an original and entertaining script, it also demonstrates considerable skill in the way in which the multiple roles are taken on by Emily and then edited into an impressive final version.”

Lili Angus was commended for her seasonal poem My Favourite Present.