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Syrian siblings Thea and Michel Toutoungy have hit the right notes with their musical prowess, taking home accolades for their soulful takes on classical compositions.
The teenagers, who attend St Christopher’s School, made their mark at the recent Young Musicians of the Gulf (YMOG) 2016 competition and were among the top prize winners.
Thea, 15, was bestowed the ‘most promising’ Bahrain-based musician award called the Owerkowicz Bequest, for her piano performance, a prize that her brother, Michel, 17, picked up in 2013 and 2015. He also notched successes this time round in the ensemble categories.
However, it was Thea’s first time participating in the competition, which attracted more than 100 musicians from across the region to the kingdom as part of the 17th British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) showcase.
She said: “Being awarded is such a great feeling considering the level of practice and effort needed to enter such an exciting competition.”
Their parents Fadi, an engineer, and Roula, a teacher at the French School, are settled in Jasra and were moved by the victories. Mum said: “It was very emotional for us. We are extremely happy for them.
“Thea almost left me out of breath the night she performed The Rondo of Mendelssohn, especially the last part where we couldn’t see her fingers any more! She performed very difficult pieces and I was very proud of her.”
Playing the piano came naturally to Thea thanks to growing up in a musical household. Thea explained: “I got into music at the age of five. My mother and uncle played the piano and organ and my grandfather had an exceptional passion for music and dance too.
“One of my many desires is to continue playing piano for the entirety of my life, but in a manner of progression and passion, as opposed to a potential career.
“Being able to play such a wide range of pieces is an excellent source of pleasure and fulfilment and provides a deep sense of satisfaction. Yet another one of my aspirations is to try and perform more in order to build up my confidence and share the beautiful rollercoaster of emotions different pieces put me through.”
It was double delight for the Toutoungy family when Michel was part of the duet and trio ensemble award-winning entrants and displayed his evocative violin skills alongside cellist Matthew Holman, 16, and pianist Sausthava Malakar, 13.
The finalists wowed a crowd of 500 at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa as well as the judges who were visiting from the UK, namely Penny Stirling, Christopher Griksaitis and John Thwaites.
Michel said: “I love chamber music because it’s different from playing solo.” The victory was especially meaningful to the schoolboy as this was his fourth and last time competing in this contest since he will be graduating soon. He hopes to study biology in the US before heading off to medical school to become a surgeon. Michel, who took up the violin at the age of six, said: “I wanted to quit violin many times but my parents did not let me and I am grateful for that. It’s something I enjoy a lot.”
Both children thanked their music teachers for helping them on the road to glory.
Other Bahrain winners were 14-year-olds Ben Brandreth and Zoe Lascelles Lloyd. Cello-player Ben received the most promising musician award in his age category entitled the Knights Bequest and tuba-playing Zoe took The Brass Award.
The YMOG crown went to 12-year-old pianist Anna Graham from The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi. She also received the Life Time Trophy Award from British ambassador, Simon Martin. The runner-up was singer Isabel Snaas, 17, from Dubai College. The award was presented by US Ambassador William Roebuck.
