The second Alex Elrick Memorial Competition took place on Saturday 26th February 2011 at Lasswade High School. The competition was founded last year by Alex’s family and by the Kevock Choir in memory of his founding of the choir, which he directed for 28 years, and for all of his work in encouraging so many in their enjoyment of music and, in particular, of singing. Nine singers between the ages of 14 and 18 from across the Lothians each performed two songs of their own choice before adjudicators Helen Lawson, Senior Lecturer in Vocal Studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and James Waters, Director of Festivals and Events International. The standard of performance was extremely high as competitors vied for the winner’s prize of £1000 to be used to further their musical education, the Alex Elrick Memorial Trophy and an invitation to sing at the Kevock Choir’s Annual Concert in the Queen’s Hall on Saturday 7th May 2011.
The adjudicators spoke very warmly of the standards attained by the young singers and, in addition to determining an outright winner, awarded several certificates of commendation. However the worthy winner was Rachel Coll whose performances of the aria Voi che Sapete by Mozart and Dido’s Lament from Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas delighted the audience. She received her prize from Margaret Elrick.