In the “sung poetry” category for primary schools, first place was won by a student of OXPRESS Primary School, Gabriela Klajn, prepared for the competition by Ms Anna Siedlecka – also a teacher at OXPRESS.
There would be nothing extraordinary about Gabrysia’s victory if not for the words of the competition jury chair, Ms Aleksandra Sozańska-Kut:
There was one person who captivated us all. I was also speechless, because we saw a complete artist on stage. An artist who knows what she is singing about, knows what she is doing on stage and has stage presence: the kind that is worth developing. And here is a personal request – to the guardians, because sung poetry is a category close to my heart – do not waste this talent!
Ms Aleksandra, who is also an artist, added after calling Gabriela Klajn onto the stage that the girl should receive the Grand Prix, but unfortunately this had not been provided for in the competition regulations.
Well, we could offer you only first place. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart, and I congratulate all the performers! – she concluded.
And how did Gabi react to such a success?
I’m very happy! Grandpa hugged me and said he was proud of me, and my parents and sisters said so too. I’m very happy! I attend Music School, but I play there; I have never sung before.
The girl’s mentor, Ms Anna Siedlecka, deeply moved by the competition result, admitted that the most difficult stage was choosing the right text. The teacher spent many months searching; ultimately, she and Gabrysia decided to present the work entitled “Violets” by Adam Asnyk.
It was important to me that the text not be too lofty, but understandable for a child, so that Gabrysia could convey it with full understanding. I knew that she first and foremost had to “feel” the words in order to express the emotions as well as possible. I am also involved in music and teach the subject at OXPRESS Primary School, and it is my passion. We have many very talented children whom I work with every day. We attend many competitions; it’s just that so much happens at school and there is not always time to write about all the achievements. I believe that our work with Gabrysia has borne beautiful fruit, and we certainly will not stop with this success! – said Ms Anna.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for the next competitions and – who knows – perhaps we will soon hear about the talented Gabrysia again?