The Norfolk Young Musician 1st prize was awarded to the talented young pianist Ashley Thorpe from Norwich School.

The Norfolk Young Music Competition took place at the John Innes Conference Centre last weekend.

Promoted by the Michal Badminton Young Musicians Trust, 16 young performers from all over Norfolk gave a short recital to the renowned international clarinettist, Michael Collins. In summing up, Mr Collins stressed that the most important thing about the competition is having a chance to play in front of an audience, it is not all about winning.

The Norfolk Young Musician 2020 prize was awarded to pianist Ashley Thorpe (17) from Norwich School who played an impressive programme of Liszt and Copland. The other prize winners were:  2nd Prize to Charlotte Pollard voice (16) Norwich School,  3rd Prize to Catherine McCardel violin (15) Norwich High School, the Michael Badminton String Prize to Alice Smith (15) violin Norwich High School, the  Mrs E Sturgeon Piano Prize to Ben Garrod (17) East Norfolk Sixth Form College, the Norfolk & Norwich Chamber Music Wind Player Prize to Joanna Asher (17)bassoon City of Norwich School and the Jane Roberson Voice Prize to India Simpson (17) East Dereham Sixth Form College.

Jonathan Wortley, Chairman of the Trust said that once again it was very encouraging to see a full day’s programme from so many applicants of such a high standard, with a great variety of instruments and voice.  It was also good that the performers had an appreciative audience throughout the day, because live performance is vital for music and musicians.