Churchill Young Musician of the Year

On Monday evening we celebrated our student’s fantastic performances at the annual Churchill Music’s Young Musician of the Year. The concert and competition is a highlight in the Academy’s calendar and just one example of the valuable partnership between Churchill Music! and the Academy.

Eight students performed over the night, including cello, voice, piano, clarinet and violin. Three of the competitors were in the junior category.

Lucy Buncombe (Yr13) won the overall prize for her vocal performances of ‘Dreaming Wide Awake’ and ‘Blues in the night’.  The adjudication panel chaired by international violinist, Ruth Rogers with Alice Harper and Adrian Trapp - both accomplished musicians, expressed how high the standard of the competition was, and how hard it made their jobs. So much so , that they awarded Lucy Taylor (Yr13) a runner-up prize. Lucy sang ‘Ridente la Calma’ and ‘Widmung’ for her performance.  

Prizes for the evening also included the Junior trophy which went to Ella Hutchinson (Yr10) for her performance on the cello. The audience voted for George Skeen (Year 12) who played ‘Allegro Moderato’ and ‘Hoe-Down from Rodeo on the violin.  The final prize of the evening went to George Derry (Yr12) who won the Raymond Hayter Song prize.

Chris Hildrew, Headteacher, commented “This is my third Young Musician, and it’s been a fantastic evening of performance. I’m proud to see our musicians flourishing; their success is down to the countless hours of practice that each and every student has undertaken to perform at their best, showing great and sustained determination. We also have our wonderful music staff and our ever-present partnership with Churchill Music to thank for these amazing opportunities.

We’re extremely proud of all the young musicians, whose energy and enthusiasm make the night all the more special. They delivered some truly unique performances and it was a privilege to listen to them tonight.”  

Following Monday’s performance, all the students are invited to play at the Young Artists Showcase at St Georges, Bristol “What a fabulous night of music-making. The standard was extremely high. We cherish our partnership with Churchill Academy, where music is such an integral part of their students’ education” said Jan Murray, Churchill Music.