2 February 2024
Our first Woldingham Young Musician of the Year competition concluded on Thursday 1 February with 19 wonderful solo and ensemble performances by our finalists. The musicians on stage demonstrated both the quality and range of music at Woldingham, with nine instruments (including voices) in the programme and works from musical theatre, classical, pop, opera and traditional Chinese.
Adjudicator Paul Showell, pianist, conductor and musical director, was full of admiration for all the performers, describing the evening as “absolutely stunning”. He promised that Ms Ives, Interim Director of Music, will share his extensive notes with all of the musicians, before announcing - and sharing individual words of praise for - the competition winners:
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year: Lilico
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year Best Ensemble: Lilico, Isabel and Cherry
Most Promising Senior Musician: Mio and Chris (joint winners)
Most Promising Junior Musician: Minerva and Shaki (joint winners)
The Elizabeth Cup for Best Vocalist: Sephora
The Musgrave Trophy for Best Pianist: Cherry
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year Wind Player: Fiona
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year String Player: Rose
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year Organist: Isabel
Woldingham Young Musician of the Year Percussionist: Megan
The Music Department received a wonderful selection of video entries to the Young Musician of the Year competition. First round category winners were also celebrated on the evening, with certificates presented by Head Mrs Harrington.
See below full details of last night’s programme, our finalists and category winners. Photos from the competition are shown in the gallery below.
Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and musicians who took part in this excellent competition and thank you to the Music Department for organising such a wonderful event.
Programme of finalists
Linda L, Upper Sixth (Voice) – Gorgeous from The Apple Tree by Jerry Bock
Minerva Z, Year 8 (Piano) – Air by Helen Hopekirk
Rose R, Year 10 (Cello) – Allegretto quasi Menuetto by Brahms
Emilie S and Mathilda U, Year 8 (Voices) – I Will Always Love You by Monte Verde & Whitney Houston
Cherry L, Upper Sixth (Piano) – Scherzo No.2 Op.31 by Frédéric Chopin
Shaki Z, Year 8 (Guzheng) – Dance of The Yi Tribe by Liu Dehai
Zarina A, Caitin D and Elodie R, Year 8 (Voices) – Don’t leave the truth – an original composition by Zarina, Caitin and Elodie
Mio T, Year 10 (Piano) – Mazurka in A Minor by Frédéric Chopin
Sephora S, Lower Sixth (Voice) – What Baking Can Do by Jessie Mueller
Lilico U, Year 11 (Violin) – Meditation by Tchaikovsky
Catherine M, Year 9 (Voice) – The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter
Shaki Z and Minerva Z, Year 8 (Guzheng and Piano) – Begonia Trad. Chinese
Isabel L, Upper Sixth (Organ) – Prelude and Fugue BWV 545 by J.S. Bach
Keira M, Lower Sixth (Voice) – Loose Ends from The Witches of Eastwick
Fiona R, Year 11 (Bassoon) – Solo de Concert by Gabriel Pierné
Chris H, Year 10 (Voice) – What More Can I Say? by William Finn
Cherry Li, Lower Sixth (Flute) – Sonata for Flute and Piano Mvt.3 by Otar Taktakishvili
Megan A, Year 11 (Percussion) – Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Lilico U, Year 11 (Violin), Isabel L, Upper Sixth (Piano)and Cherry L, Upper Sixth (Flute) – Trio Sonata for Flute, Violin and Piano by Martinu
Category Winners
Grades 1-4 prizes
Kitty L, Year 9 (Piano)
Katy C, Year 7 (Voice)
Olympia T G L-S, Year 7 (Voice)
Anna M, Lower Sixth (Guitar)
Tang Tang M, Year 11 (Organ)
Ivy M, Year 10 (Percussion)
Grades 5-7 prizes
Mio T, Year 10 (Piano)
Carys S, Year 9 (Voice)
Chris H, Year 10 (Voice)
Lydia N, Year 8 (Oboe)
Grades 8+ prizes
Sophie T, Year 11 (Piano)
Bea R, Year 10 (Violin)
Ava B-M, Lower Sixth (Voice)
