Two Harrogate pupils have been named ‘Young Musicians of the Year.’
The annual contest at Harrogate’s Ashville College sees the Berger-Clarke Cup presented to the pupil judged the best overall.
However, there are prizes on offer in other categories too with the unenviable task of picking winners left this year in the hands of guest adjudicator Stephen Phillips, an experienced educator and musician who has played and conducted on BBC radio and TV – and even played in the UES Steels Stocksbridge Band in the hit film The Full Monty.
Mr Phillips selected Upper Sixth pupil Rosie J as the 2024 winner in the vocal category with her performance of Stizzoso, Mio Stizzosoby Giovanni Pergolesi and When I Look At You by Frank Wildhorn.
But the top prize went to Year 10’s George G who also topped the instrumental category with his performance of the iconic piano work Prelude in C# Minor by Rachmaninov.
The competition returned last year following a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with performances enjoyed by an audience comprising parents, families, pupils and staff.
The Berger-Clarke Cup was inaugurated to honour two former music teachers Paula Berger and Nick Clarke, who both retired from teaching at Ashville in 2019.
This year’s contest also came hot on the heels of the College’s success at the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama.
Over 50 pupils participated in the three-weekend programme in March, returning with a clutch of medals and awards, including the prestigious Silver Rose Bowl, won this year by Ashvillian Anna J, who was the overall winner of the Berger-Clarke Cup in 2023.
Ashville’s Deputy Head, Anna Wilby, said:
“It’s not easy to choose between such an eclectic mix of styles and instruments so we’re indebted to Stephen Phillips for his adjudication this year.
“The pupils’ enthusiasm and commitment made it a difficult choice so, as ever, we have to applaud not only the category winners but everyone who took part.
“It’s so rewarding for parents, families and staff to see so much talent on show and we feel fortunate to have so much to showcase – but we hope everyone who performed also enjoyed their moment in the spotlight and that it inspires them to relish the chance to sing and play music in the years to come.”
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