*
banner

Richard Fice Memorial Award won by French Horn talent

17 year old Conrad Thorndike has joined a long list of talented brass winners of the annual Richard Fice Memorial Award.

Richard Fice Award
  Matthew Downes (adjudicator), Conrad Thorndike (winner), John and Marcia Fice

French horn player Conrad Thorndike's stylish performances of Poulenc's 'Elegie' alongside Abbott's 'Alla Caccia' enabled the 17 year to win the 2024 Richard Fice Memorial Award.

He beat a strong field which included finalists Finlay Hoffer (trumpet and cornet) and Rachel George (trombone).

Wells student

Conrad hails from Llantrisant and is a student at Wells Cathedral School where he is taught by Simon de Souza. He is also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and Cardiff & Vale Music Education Youth Orchestra and a former member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and Symphonic Brass Cardiff.

His ambition is to attend music college and go on to play professionally.

Since its inception in 1991, the annual £2,000 award has helped more than 30 promising local players to further their careers by enabling them to purchase instruments, pay for tuition or attend residential courses4BR

Fice memory

Held annually by Cardiff & Vale Music Education for player aged 19 and under, the competition was established in memory of Richard Fice, a former principal cornet of South Glamorgan Youth Brass Band who was killed in the bombing of the Royal Marines School of Music in 1989.

Since its inception in 1991, the annual £2,000 award has helped more than 30 promising local players to further their careers by enabling them to purchase instruments, pay for tuition or attend residential courses.

Many have also gone on to become professional musicians, including Daniel Trodden (tuba), Simon Cox (trumpet) and Stephanie Muncy-Dyer (trombone).

Assured playing

This year's competition was adjudicated by 2003 winner and Head of Orchestra at Welsh National Opera, Matthew Downes. Among the audience at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff were Richard Fice's parents John and Marcia.

Speaking about the competition, Matthew Downes told 4BR: "It was wonderful to hear such entertaining performances of music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Arban and Pee Wee Ellis.

We were treated to a very enjoyable afternoon of brass playing and, in the end, it was Conrad's mature, assured playing that marked him out as a deserved winner."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Fjord

Echoes of the fjord to be heard in Stavanger

April 3 • The Gala Concert at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger will evoke the folk music sounds of the fjords with a brass band twist.


Andrea Price

Andrea Price appointed to Kapitol Music Panel

April 3 • The critically acclaimed musician joins the Kapitol Music Panel to help select future Regional and National test-pieces.


SEWBBA

Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar

April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.


Cheltenham

Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.

April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Bedworth Brass

April 4 • Bedworth Brass, Midlands 1st Section band are looking for a talented and enthusiastic soprano player to join the ranks of our hard working and social band.


Bedworth Brass

April 4 • Bedworth Brass, Midlands 1st Section band are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Bass Trombone player to join the ranks of our hard working and social band.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

April 3 • Putney & Wimbledon Brass Band is on the rise! We're off to Cheltenham for the 3rd year running and will be promoted to the 2nd Section. We need YOU to help us go even further! We play ambitious music under a great conductor and are a very sociable bunch.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd