The 7th Forest of Dean Solo & Ensemble Championship, incorporating the Forest of Dean Young Musician of the Year competition took place on the weekend in Coleford, Gloucestershire.

The adjudicator was Dr. Richard Jones from Warrington, and the official accompanist was Michael Blake.

High quality

On the hottest day of the year, there were high quality vocal and instrumental performances from young musicians aged 7 to 23, from Gloucestershire, Greater Gwent, Yorkshire and Cardiff in a mixture of graded and recital classes.

New for this year was the introduction of a free non-competitive beginner’s class for youngsters with less than 12 months playing experience and who have not taken any graded exams.

Inspiring

The adjudicator felt it was a most inspiring class and he urged other festivals to follow the championships’ lead by including a class of this nature in future.

Dr Jones commented on the outstanding playing standard throughout the day, particularly in the two Forest of Dean Young Musician of the Year recital classes (Junior Recitalist ages 12 — 17, Senior Recitalist ages 18 — 23) but most specifically in the diverse Open Recital Class (any age).

He congratulated all of the performers for coping so well with the demanding weather conditions.

Titles

The Forest of Dean Junior Young Musician of the Year title was won by soprano Lucy Rees from Cardiff.

19 year old euphonium player Thomas Dunne, a first year student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama successfully retained his Forest of Dean Senior Young Musician of the Year title with a programme containing the first movement of the ‘Concerto for Euphonium’ by Karl Jenkins and Barat’s ‘Morceau de Concours’.

Trombonist Rhiannon Symonds (16) was crowned Forest of Dean Musician of the Year for her winning performance in the Open Recital class which the adjudicator described as, ‘as good as any professional’.

Prizes

As part of their prizes, the three talented young musicians will be invited to give a recital at Forest & Wye Valley Music’s annual “Musical Futures Concert” in February next year.

New for this year was the introduction of a free non-competitive beginner’s class for youngsters with less than 12 months playing experience and who have not taken any graded exams4BR

Results:

Primary Solo Grades: 1-3
Winner: Isobel Randall-Evans (Clarinet) — Forest of Dean Area Wind Band
Runner-up: Louis Sacks (Piano) — Wyedean School

Intermediate Solo Grades: 4-6
Winner: Gabby Antrum (Alto Saxophone) — Forest Little BIG Band
Runner-up: Charlie Poole (Cornet) — Wotton Band

Advanced Solo Grades: 7-8
Winner: William Sharma (Piano) — Forest Little BIG Band
Runner-up: Rhiannon Symonds (Euphonium) — Forest of Dean Area Wind Band

Jazz Solos: Aged 17 and Under
Winner: Rhiannon Symonds (Trombone) — Forest Little BIG Band
Runner-up: Oliver Jenkins (Tenor Saxophone) — Forest Little BIG Band

Junior Recital: Ages 12 – 14
Winner: Lucy Rees (Soprano) — Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls
Runner-up: Mary Hamilton (Violin) — Monmouth Comprehensive School

Senior Recital: Age 18 – 23
Winner: Thomas Dunne (Euphonium) — Markham Band
Runner-up: Rhianwen Head (Cornet) — Hebden Bridge Band

Open Recital: Any age
Winner: Rhiannon Symonds (Trombone) — Forest Little BIG Band
Runner-up: Ross Dunne (Tenor Horn) — Llwydcoed Band

Open Ensemble: Any age
Winner: Thomas Dunne & Rhianwen Head

Awards:
Forest of Dean Musician of the Year: Rhiannon Symonds
Forest of Dean Senior Young Musician of the Year: Thomas Dunne
Forest of Dean Junior Young Musician of the Year: Lucy Rees
Forest of Dean Young Jazz Musician of the Year: Rhiannon Symonds
Forest of Dean Young Woodwind Player of the Year: Gabby Antrum
Forest of Dean Young Brass Player of the Year: Rhiannon Symonds
Most Promising Non-brass/woodwind Musician: Lucy Rees
Most Promising Junior aged 13 and under: James Harriman
Most Outstanding Performance by a Junior: Ross Dunne
Most Outstanding Performance of the Day: Thomas Dunne