YOUNG MUSICIANS GET INTO PRACTICE FOR RIPON COMPETITION
25 February 2010
Young musicians around the area are brushing up their skills with just a month to go before the closing date for entries for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2010 – and this year the post-competition concert will feature local ensembles and well as competition winners.
The annual event, billed as ‘a celebration of all young musicians in the area’, encourages the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area. They compete in a number of classes, most of them organised according to school years, which offer an opportunity for players and singers at any level, from beginners to highly accomplished musicians, to perform to an appreciative audience.
The closing date for entries is Saturday 3 April, and this year’s competition takes place on the evening of Friday 7 May and all day on Saturday 8 May. The adjudicator is Murray McLachlan, Head of Keyboard at Chetham’s School of Music and tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. After the competition the class winners will take part in a concert, where they will be joined by young local ensembles and choirs. All the competition classes and the concert are open to members of the public, who are encouraged to come to support the young people.
David Winpenny, who founded Ripon Young Musicians of the Year nine years ago, says, ‘We know that our young musicians are already practising hard for the competition, and we look forward to having a record number of entries this year. We’ve expanded the concert this year by inviting other local groups to join us in what we know will be a rousing end to two fantastic days of music-making that celebrates the talent of young people in the Ripon area.’
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2010 have been sent to schools and private teachers, and are available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and in other outlets in and around the city. Full information and entry forms are also available on the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year website at www.rymy.co.uk.
SEARCH FOR RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS 2010 LAUNCHED
5 January 2010
The search for the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2010 has begun, and all young players and singers are encouraged to take part in what is billed as ‘a celebration of all young musicians in the area’.
The success of the annual competition means that this year for the first time it is being held over two days at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. The popular ‘Two Skills’ class, where competitors can show their abilities on two instruments, or on instrument and voice, and the most senior class, for school years 11-13, are taking place on the evening of Friday 7 May. The other classes will take place throughout the day on Saturday 8 May. They also offer an opportunity for players and singers at any level, from beginners to highly accomplished musicians, to perform to an appreciative audience.
On the Saturday evening the winners will take part in a concert, alongside young local ensembles and choirs. All the competition classes and the concert are open to members of the public, who are encouraged to come to support the young people.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area. Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor.
The adjudicator for the 2010 event is Murray McLachlan, Head of keyboard at Chetham’s School of Music and tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. A celebrated pianist, his repertoire includes over 40 concertos. He has appeared as soloist with most of the leading UK orchestras and has recently performed the USA, Scandinavia, South Africa, Poland, Byelorussia and Norway. In 1997 he was awarded a knighthood by the Order of St John of Jerusalem in recognition of his services to music in Malta.
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2010 are being sent to schools and private teachers, and are available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and in other outlets in and around the city. Full information and entry forms are also available on the website at www.rymy.co.uk.
David Winpenny, who initiated the competition nine years ago, says, ‘With entries last year reaching almost 100, we decided that there were too many to include in a single day of competition. The extra evening will, we hope, enable the competitors not to feel rushed, and our adjudicator to have more time to consider his comments! We are looking forward to welcoming lots of talented young people to take part in 2010, and we hope that the people of Ripon and around will come to hear them take part, both during the competition and at the concert on Saturday 8 May as we celebrate music-making in the area.’
TALENTED YOUNGSTERS NAMED AS RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS
27 April 2009
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, held at the city’s Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 25 April, showed the breadth of musical talent among local young people.
There were more than 95 entries for this year’s competition, another increase on last year’s record entry. The competition is open to young music students up to the age of 18 living or at school within the HG4 postcode area. This year’s competitors came from 22 different schools, played 15 different instruments – and there were 15 singers. Between them they performed works by 71 composers, from Bach and Beethoven to Rogers & Hammerstein and Freddie Mercury.
This year’s adjudicator was viola player Jon Thorne, who gave all the performers enthusiastic encouragement and commented on how friendly and relaxed the whole competition was. He was formally thanked at the concert that followed the competition, in which all the winners performed.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, described as a celebration of young talent, was being run for the eighth time this year. There were seven classes, including one for beginners and a ’Two Skills’ class that provides the chance for competitors to play two instruments in succession, or to play and sing.
Most of the classes were divided into two sections, and the winners of each section received a medal and a cash prize. There were also cups, and the title Ripon Young Musician of the Year, for the best performers in each class. The most closely fought was the most senior class for students in years 11, 12 and 13, where pianist Rory Buckle won section 1 and trumpeter Ollie Norman and saxophonist Grace Lancaster were declared equal winners of Section 2. By a narrow margin Rory was declared winner of the class and was presented with the Hewlett Cup.
Class 1, for up to Year 4, was won by singer Flora Grafton, who was presented with a new cup donated by the Inner Wheel Club of Ripon Rowels. Class 2, for Years 5 and 6, was won by trombone-player David Owens. Class 3 was for ensembles of two to six players, and was this year won by Ripon Cathedral Choir School Brass Group. Cellist and pianist Jessica Bryden won the Two Skills class, and another cellist, Rebecca Nicholas, won class 5, for years 7 and 8. Winner in Class 6, for years 9 and 10, was saxophonist Alexander Worrall.
Everyone who played or sang in the competition was given a special certificate. As well as the winners, Jon Thorne chose Eliott Thomas, who played the piano and the tenor horn in the Two Skills Class, as ‘Most Promising Performer’. There was another new cup this year, for piano performance, presented by the UK branch of the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA). It was won by Katie Waters.
David Winpenny, who founded the competition in 2001 says, ‘Once again we have shown that Ripon’s Got Talent with our special music competition! It was a long but very enjoyable day, with lots of remarkable music making, and we are delighted that so many young people are willing to give up their time, not just on the day of the competition but throughout the year, to play and sing to such high standards. It was a real celebration of their skills and of the dedication of their teachers and their parents. Jon Thorne said repeatedly how impressed he was, and we are grateful to him for spending the day with us and encouraging all the performers.'
The full results are as follows:
Class 1 (up to and including school year 4)
Section 1: up to and including Grade 1 standard
- Winner – Isobel Andrew (piano)
- Highly Commended – Emily Grote (singer)
- Highly Commended – Zeyra Beckett (singer)
- Highly Commended – Alexander Abrahams (piano)
- Commended – Hester Churchouse (Clarinet)

Section 2: Grade 2 and above
- · Winner – Flora Grafton (singer)
- · Highly Commended – Hugh Hollins (bassoon)
- · Highly Commended – Samantha Baker-Jones (singer)
- · Highly Commended – Thomas Bryden (Trumpet)
CLASS 1 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Flora Grafton
Class 2 (school years 5 and 6)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
- Winner – Thomas Bowe (piano)
- Highly Commended – Alice Shanahan (violin)

Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
- · Winner – David Owens (trombone)
- · Highly Commended – Gawain Romyn (singer)
- · Highly Commended – Edward Beecher (singer)
- · Highly Commended – Monty Merchie (clarinet)
- · Highly Commended – Guy Hollins (trombone)
- · Commended – Penelope Simpson (trumpet)
CLASS 2 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – David Owens
Class 3 – Ensembles
· Winner – Ripon Cathedral Choir School Brass Group (Angus Smith, Max Wilson, Laurence Wells, Tom Graham, Harry Hickey, Guy Hollins)
- Highly Commended – Blue Five Jazz Quintet ( Edd Riley, Alasdair Simpson, Ben Reynard, Harry Pilling, Cameron McCormack)
- Commended – harp duo (Katie Waters and Lucinda Taylor)
Class 4 (Two skills)
Section 1 – (school years 4 to 8)
- Winner – Jessica Bryden (cello and piano)
- Highly Commended – Eliott Thomas (piano and tenor horn)
- Highly Commended – Emma McNeely (piano and violin)
- Highly Commended – Sarah Owens (piano and tenor horn)
- Commended – Isabella Clutterbuck (piano and clarinet)
- Commended – Melody Swiers (piano and cornet)
- Commended – Laurence Wells (piano and trumpet)
- Commended – Angus Smith (piano and trumpet)
.JPG)
Section 2 – (school years 4 to 8)
- · Winner – Katie Waters (harp and piano)
CLASS 4 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year
– Jessica Bryden
Class 5 (school years 7 and 8)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
- Winner – Rebecca Nicholas (cello)
- Highly Commended – Robert Nicholas (violin)
.JPG)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
- · Winner – Natalie Mounsey (Flute)
- · Highly Commended – Caleb Bullock (singer)
- · Commended – Charlie Yates (trombone)
- · Commended – Rosie Lyall (clarinet)
- · Commended – Tom Graham (horn)
· Commended – Henry Worrall (flute)
CLASS 5 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Rebecca Nicholas (cello)
Class 6 (school years 9 and 10)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
- Highly Commended – Alasdair Simpson (piano)
- Commended – Imogen Pearson (piano)
.JPG)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
- · Winner – Alexander Worrall (saxophone)
- · Highly Commended – Charles Lancaster (trombone)
CLASS 6 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Alexander Worrall
Class 7 (school years 11, 12 and 13)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
- Winner – Rory Buckle (piano)
- Highly Commended – Rachel Eckersley (piano)
- Commended – Caroline Needham (piano)
.JPG)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
- · Joint Winner – Ollie Norman (trumpet)
- · Joint Winner – Grace Lancaster (saxophone)
- · Highly Commended – Heather Yendall (singer)
CLASS 7 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Rory Buckle (piano)

Most Promising performer: Eliott Thomas (tenor horn and piano)
EPTA Cup for Piano Playing – Katie Waters
THANK YOU TO ADVERTISERS and HELPERS
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year is grateful to the following for supporting the competition by advertising in the programme:
A M Row & Son
Calverts Carpets
Christina Thomson Jones
David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd
Deli on Duck Hill
Fiddle Fingers
The Greenhouse on Blossomgate
Ladies World
Langtons Fine Foods
North Street Prints
The Old Deanery
perk up Restaurant
Philip Hall
Ripon Cathedral Choir School
Ripon Choral Society
Ripon City Band
Ripon Civic Society
Ripon Youth Choirs
the gallery
Soles
St Cecilia Orchestra
Stagecoach Theatre Arts School
Tutto Bello
Westgate Fine Art
We are also grateful to everyone who helped, including the members of the Inner Wheel Club of Ripon Rowels.
NEW CUP FOR YOUNG PIANISTS IN RIPON COMPETITION
Young pianists entering the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year in April now have another award to compete for – a new cup presented to the competition by the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) for the most deserving pianist in the competition.
EPTA is a Europe-wide professional body that supports piano teachers, by running workshops, lectures and courses and providing services like insurance for them. EPTA in the UK has organised the donation of the cup, which will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator – this year viola-player Jon Thorne.
Bronwen Brindley, a member of EPTA’s management committee in the UK, says, ‘We wanted to show our support for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year and for young pianists in particular. We hope that the new00 cup will encourage them both to enter the competition and to take their piano playing on to even higher levels.
David Winpenny, who initiated the competition eight years ago, says, ‘We are delighted and encouraged by the support that EPTA has given to the young musicians of the Ripon area by donating this cup. We are looking forward to seeing which of our pianists will be awarded it this year!’
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area. Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor. They will also take part in a concert in the evening of the competition.
The 2009 competition takes place on Saturday 25 April at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. The seven classes offer an opportunity for players and singers at any level, from beginners to highly accomplished musicians, to perform to an appreciative audience. There is a popular ‘Two Skills’ class, where competitors can show their abilities in two instruments, or on instrument and voice.
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2009 have sent been to schools and private teachers, and are available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre, Ripon Cathedral and in other outlets in and around the city.
SEARCH FOR RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS 2009 LAUNCHED
15 December 2008
Calling all young musicians! The search for the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2009 is now underway, and all young players and singers are encouraged to take part in what is billed as ‘a celebration of all young musicians in the area’.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area. Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor. They will also take part in a concert in the evening of the competition.
The 2009 competition takes place on Saturday 25 April at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. The seven classes offer an opportunity for players and singers at any level, from beginners to highly accomplished musicians, to perform to an appreciative audience. There is a popular ‘Two Skills’ class, where competitors can show their abilities on two instruments, or on instrument and voice.
The adjudicator for the 2009 event is Jon Thorne, an eminent viola player who teaches the instrument at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. A founder member of the Bronte String Quartet, the Pasttoris Trio and the Abbracci Piano Quartet, he has also been principal viola of several prestigious orchestras, including the City of London Chamber Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra. He has also played for several film scores, including Wallace and Gromit, The Da Vinci Code and The Golden Compass.
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2009 will be sent to schools and private teachers, and will be available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and in other outlets in and around the city. Full information and entry forms are also available on the website at
www.rymy.co.uk.
David Winpenny, who initiated the competition eight years ago, says, ‘Each year the number of entries to Ripon Young Musicians of the Year has increased, with more than 90 last year. We are looking forward to welcoming lots of talented young people to take part in 2009, and we hope that the people of Ripon and around will come to hear them on the day, both during the competition and at the evening concert as we celebrate music-making in the area.’
TALENTED YOUNGSTERS NAMED AS RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS 27 April 2008
The annual Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, held at the city’s Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 26 April, showed the breadth of musical talent among local young people – including a jazz group.
There were more than 90 entries for this year’s competition, an increase on last year’s record entry. The competition is open to young music students up to the age of 18 living or at school within the HG4 postcode area. There were 16 different instruments played during the competition, and there were 15 singers. The Adjudicator was Steven Roberts, who gave all the performers enthusiastic encouragement and commented on how friendly and relaxed the whole competition was.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, described as a celebration of young talent, was being run for the seventh time this year. There were eight classes, including one for beginners and a ’Two Skills’ class, providing the chance for competitors to play two instruments in succession, or to play and sing.
Most of the classes were divided into two sections, and the winners of each section received a medal and a cash prize. There were also cups, and the title Ripon Young Musician of the Year, for the best performers in each class. Most closely fought was the class for students in years 10 and 11, with pianist Rory Buckle narrowly beating singer Emily Jennings for the title. The winner of Class 2, for school years 6 and 7, was cellist Jessica Bryden. Class 5, for years 8 and 9, was won by clarinettist Liam Forster, and pianist Naomi Fay won the most senior class, for school years 12 and 13. The winner of the Ensemble Class, for two to six performers was a Jazz Quartet based at Ripon Grammar School – the first time the competition has included jazz.
Everyone who played or sang in the competition was given a special certificate. As well as the winners, Steven Roberts chose two ‘Most Promising Performers’ – horn player Ben Nabarro and – another first for the competition – an ensemble, the Senior Brass Group of Ripon Cathedral Choir School. They received money prizes and medals from the competition’s organisers and sponsors, Ripon-based David Winpenny Public Relations.
There are concert engagements for the Competition’s winners, some at a lunchtime concert at Ripon Cathedral on Thursday 1 May, starting at 1.15 pm., and for others, mostly the more senior winners, at the AGM of the Cathedral Concert Society on Monday 19 May.
David Winpenny, who founded the competition in 2001 says, ‘Each year we have managed to attract more and more local young musicians to play for us, and they all seem to enjoy the chance to perform before an appreciative audience. Everyone who took part was, as always, a great credit to Ripon as well as to their parents and teachers. We are very grateful to Steven Roberts for her excellent adjudication, and we look forward to the 2009 Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition, when even more young people can demonstrate their excellent music-making.’
The full results are as follows:
Class 1 (up to and including school year 5)
Section 1: up to and including Grade 1 standard
Winner – Holly Oldham (flute)
Highly Commended – Josh Tulip (piano)
Commended – Hugh Hollins (mini-bassoon)
Commended – Clare Harris (harp)
Section 2: Grade 2 and above
Winner – Thomas Bowe (piano)
Highly Commended – Gawain Romyn (voice)
Highly Commended – Guy Hollins (trombone)
Commended – Johnnie Furse (cornet)
Commended – Thomas Bryden (cornet)
Class 2 (school years 6 and 7)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
Winner – Jessica Bryden (cello)
Highly Commended – Robert Nicholas (violin)
Highly Commended – Caroline Heard (violin)
Commended – Caleb Bullock (piano)
Commended – Rebecca Nicholas (cello)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
Winner – Rosie Lyall (clarinet)
Highly Commended – Sally Pitts (flute)
Highly Commended – Natalie Mounsey (voice)
Commended – Henry Worrall (flute)
Commended – Sophie John (flute)
CLASS 2 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year- Jessica Bryden (cello)

Class 3 – Ensembles (any age, including adults)
Winner – Jazz Quartet (Tom Ravalde, Alasdair Simpson, Andrew Cox, Nick Powell)
Highly Commended – cello duet (Charity Schofield and Edward Beese)
Commended – vocal trio (Joanna, Rebecca and Robert Nicholas)
Class 4 (Two skills – any age)
WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year- Charity Schofield (cello and voice)
Highly Commended – Katie Waters (piano and harp)
Highly Commended – Isobel Jennings (voice and piano)
Commended – Grace Lancaster (saxophone and voice)
Class 5 (school years 8 and 9)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
Winner – Lucinda Taylor (harp)
Highly Commended – Florence McCudden (piano)
Commended – Charity Schofield (piano)
Commended – Alasdair Simpson (piano)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
Winner – Liam Forster (clarinet)
Highly Commended – Hannah Gee (clarinet)
Commended – Charles Lancaster (trombone)
CLASS 5 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Liam Forster (clarinet )
Class 7 (school years 10 and 11)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
• Winner – Rory Buckle (piano)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
• Winner – Emily Jennings (voice)
CLASS 7 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Rory Buckle (piano)

Class 8 (school years 12 and 13)
Section 1 – Piano and strings
Winner – Ollie Norman (trumpet)
Section 2 – Woodwind, brass and voice
Winner – Naomi Fay (piano)
CLASS 8 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year – Naomi Fay (piano)

Most Promising performers: Ben Nabarro (horn), Ripon Cathedral Choir School Senior Brass Group (Melody Swiers, Max Wilson, Lawrence Wells, Tom Graham, Harry Hickey, Charlie Yates)
4 March 2008
CALL GOES OUT TO RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS
Entries for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2008, which takes place on Saturday 26 April at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. are now coming in, and the organisers are hoping that as many young players as possible from the HG4 postcode area will join them for what is billed as ‘a celebration of all young musicians in the area’.
Anyone up to and including the age of 18 who lives, is at school or has private music lessons in the HG4 area is eligible to take part. Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor. They will also have the chance to perform in a Lunchtime Concert at Ripon Cathedral the week after the competition.
The 2008 competition has extra classes, with the most senior class divided into two sections. There is also the chance for young organists to perform in all sections. And adults who want to take part are not forgotten – the non-competitive ‘Performance Platform’ section is open to musicians of any age. It gives anyone who wishes the opportunity to take part and receive helpful comments from the adjudicator.
This year’s adjudicator is Steven Roberts, who has combined a career in education with work as a conductor, musical director and adjudicator both in this country and in Europe and as far afield as Peru and Bahrain. He is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2008 have been sent to schools and private teachers, and are available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre, Ripon City Music and in other outlets in and around the city. Full information and entry forms are also available on the website at www.rymy.co.uk.
David Winpenny, who initiated the competition seven years ago, says, ‘We need entries in by the end of March, so now’s the time to make up your mind to enter this year’s competition. The atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed, and we are looking forward once again to celebrating music-making in the Ripon area.’
31 March 2007
WORKSHOP PRIZES FOR COMPETITION WINNERS

As well as cups and cash prizes, class and section winners in the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2007 competition were given the chance to take part in a workshop with a professional musician who offered them tips on technique, interpretation and presentation.
At Ripon Cathedral Choir School on Sunday 20 May conductor Xen Kelsey, who directs the St Cecilia Orchestra in Ripon, the Mowbray Ensemble and Ripon Community Orchestra, ran a workshop to which competition winners were invited.
Xen, a native of Ripon, is the founder and director of the Vacation Chamber Orchestras organisation, which offers residential courses for advanced music students who perform regularly in the UK and in Europe. He studied horn, double bass, piano and conducting in Manchester and was principal horn and conducting student on the European Summer Schools for Young Musicians in Vienna, Salzburg and Montreux from 1967 to 1971. He has played horn with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra and the Manchester Mozart Orchestra, as well as with various chamber ensembles and other orchestras.
David Winpenny, founder and organiser of Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, says, ‘We are very grateful to Xen both for his advice and for his commitment to the Competition, and also for his generosity in offering this workshop for our winners. We know that they found his knowledge and experience particularly useful in showing them how to improve their technique and performance skills.’
31 March 2007
RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS OF THE YEAR
is very grateful to
RIPON CITY MUSIC for donating a £50 voucher as a raffle prize
and to the following for supporting the competition
with advertisements in the programme for the day:
- Ripon Business Services
- Ripon Cathedral Choir School
- Ripon Choral Society
- Ripon Civic Society
- Jim Fleeting Guitars
- ‘the gallery’
- Great Northern Wine
- Philip Hall
- Katherine and Emily Jennings
- The Old Deanery, Ripon
- Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools
- Tunnard & Co
Westgate Framing
Helen Johnson
Janet Nicholas
Toby Wallis Communications
Skipton Building Society
SKIPTON GIVES A £500 BOOST FOR RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS

Sheila Winpenny (centre) from Ripon Young Musicians of the Year with staff from the Ripon Branch of the Skipton Building Society, Denise Hudson (left) and Linda Dobbins. The Skipton Building Society has donated £500 towards the cost a hiring a piano for this year's competition.
21 February 2007
The 2007 Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition, which celebrates and encourages the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area, has received a £500 boost from the Skipton Building Society.
The Society has awarded Ripon Young Musicians of the Year a Community Contribution Award to help towards the cost of hiring a grand piano for this year’s competition, which is being held on Saturday 28 April at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon.
There are extra classes in the 2007 competition, including one called ‘Two Skills’, which allows young people with talent on more than one instrument, or playing and singing, to show their skills. The non-competitive ‘Performance Platform’, successfully introduced in the 2006 competition, which is open to musicians of any age, will be featured again in 2007. It gives anyone who wishes the opportunity to take part and receive helpful comments from the adjudicator.
David Winpenny, who initiated Ripon Young Musicians of the Year six years ago, says, ‘The Community Contribution Award of £500 from the Skipton Building Society is a wonderful help to us in running the 2007 competition. We can make sure that our pianists and accompanists have a really good instrument to use in Holy Trinity Church. We are very grateful to the Skipton for their generous support of local young people.’
Sue Bramley, branch manager at the Society's Ripon branch, said, 'Skipton Building Society is proud to support Ripon Young Musicians of the Year. On behalf of the Ripon branch, I would like to wish all the contestants the best of luck for the competition.'
19 February 2007
ACCOLADE FOR THIS YEAR’S ADJUDICATOR
The new recording of the Clarinet Quintet by Brahms, played by this year’s adjudicator Lesley Schatzberger with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, has been awarded the highest rating – five red stars for both performance and sound – in the March 2007 issue of BBC Music Magazine. The Magazine’s reviewer of the CD, Calum MacDonald, writes: ‘The result is a triumph: the most revelatory version of the piece I’ve heard in years; animated, dynamic, passionate . . . those of us who have long deplored the late 20th-century tendency to make this masterwork one long indulgence in nostalgia . . . can only applaud.’
As well as the Brahms, the CD includes works by Mozart, Glazunov and William Sweeney. It is on the Linn label, number CDK 278.
29 January 2007
RYMY DISPLAY AT RIPON LIBRARY
A display about the competition has been placed in Ripon Library. It outlines the classes, introduces the adjudicator, Lesley Schatzberger, and encourages as many people as possible to take part in this year's competition. The display will be in place until 17 February 2007.
11 December 2006
SEARCH FOR RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS 2007 LAUNCHED
Calling all young musicians! The search for the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2007 gets underway this week – along with the chance to win a £50 voucher for use at Ripon music shop Sound Savers.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to celebrate and encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area. Sound Savers has generously provided the £50 prizes to raffle at the event. Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations Ltd, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor.
There are extra classes in the 2007 competition, which takes place on Saturday 28 April at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon. The non-competitive ‘Performance Platform’, successfully introduced in the 2006 competition, which is open to musicians of any age, will be featured again in 2007. It gives anyone who wishes the opportunity to take part and receive helpful comments from the adjudicator.
The adjudicator for the 2007 event is clarinettist Lesley Schatzberger, who has played with the London Classical Players, the English Baroque Soloists, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and the Academy of Ancient Music. She has recorded a wide range of music, and now divides her time between her playing and the running of Jessie's Fund. The charity was established in memory of her daughter, Jessica, who died at the age of nine. It helps seriously ill and disabled children through the therapeutic power of music.
Leaflets and entry forms for Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2007 will be sent to schools and private teachers, and will be available at Sound Savers, Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and in other outlets in and around the city. Full information and entry forms are also available on the website at www.rymy.co.uk.
David Winpenny, who initiated the competition six years ago, says, ‘The 2006 Ripon Young Musicians of the Year was a great success, with more than 50 musicians taking part, and now, with extra classes and cash prizes, as well as a special prizewinners’ concert in Ripon Cathedral the week after the event, we hope that even more talented young people – and adults – will help us celebrate music making in the area. Visit the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year website at www.rymy.co.uk
13 September 2006
RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS PLAY IN CATHEDRAL CONCERT
Talented musicians from the Ripon area – all of them prizewinners and top contestants in the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition, gave a special concert in Ripon Cathedral on Thursday 12 October. More than 50 music students up to the age of 18 took part in the competition in May. Eight individual musicians, as well as a brass ensemble, performed at a Lunchtime Concert in the Cathedral. More than 150 people were in the audience and enthusiastically applauded the players.
Those taking part in the lunchtime concert were pianists Elizabeth Waters and Naomi Fay, singers Aloise Hickey and Isobel Jennings, harpist Lucinda Taylor, horn-player Ben Nabarro and flautist Imogen Schofield. Also performing was adult saxophonist Paul Boulton, who took part in the non-competitive ‘Performance Platform’ section, which was open to musicians of any age. Ripon Cathedral Choir School’s Brass Ensemble completed the line-up. All of them were praised for their competition perfromances in May by the adjudicator, conductor Simon Wright, who among many other engagements regularly conducts the Classical Brit Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.
Ripon Young Musicians of the Year, organised and sponsored by Ripon-based David Winpenny Public Relations, was held for the fifth time this year. The next competition will be held on 28 April 2007, when the adjudicator will be international clarinettist Lesley Schatzberger. David Winpenny, who founded the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition in 2001, says, ‘We believe that young musicians should perform to a wider audience than just their families, so the competition and the Lunchtime Concert are a great opportunity for them. We are delighted that so many people came to hear them, and we are now looking forward to next year's competition.'
7 May 2006
THREE TALENTED YOUNGSTERS NAMED AS RIPON YOUNG MUSICIANS
Three talented young musicians have been awarded the prestigious title of Ripon Young Musicians of the Year after a hard-fought contest on Saturday 6th May at Ripon Grammar School.
More than 50 music students up to the age of 18 took part in what was billed as a celebration of young talent, which is open to young people living or at school within the HG4 postcode area. The Adjudicator was conductor Simon Wright, who came to Ripon straight from conducting the Classical Brit Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.
The event, being run for the fifth time this year, has been restructured into five classes, with one for beginners and a non-competitive "Performance Platform" for musicians of any age, which attracted a number of adult players and singers. The winners of the three other classes were presented with cups and the title Ripon Young Musicians of the Year.
The winner of Class 2, for school years 5 and 6, was Aloise Hickey, who sang Path to the Moon by Thiman. Pianist Naomi Fay won Class 4 (Years 10 to 13) with Debussy's Serenade for the Doll, while 12-year-old Isobel Jennings, who sang Offenbach's Doll's Song won Class 5 (Years 7 to 9). Each of them was presented with a cup and the title Ripon Young Musician of the Year.
Each Class was divided into two sections, and the winners of each section received a medal and a music voucher, sponsored by Ripon City Music.
Everyone who played or sang in the competition was given a special certificate. They also received helpful and amusing advice from Simon Wright, who said that he was very impressed by the range of instruments and the level of musicianship shown by all the competitors.
As well as the winners, Simon chose two players as Most Promising Performers: harpist Lucinda Taylor and viola-player Tristram Cooke. They received £10 from the competition's organisers and sponsors, Ripon-based David Winpenny Public Relations.
The winners and some of the other competitors have been invited to play in a lunchtime concert at Ripon Cathedral on Thursday 12 October, starting at 1.15 pm.
David Winpenny, who founded the competition in 2001 says:
We were delighted that the event was as much a celebration of good young music-making as a competition. Everyone who took part was a great credit to Ripon as well as to their parents and teachers. Our three winners are worthy representatives of the talent that Ripon and the surrounding area produces We are very grateful to Simon Wright for his excellent adjudication, and look forward to the 2007 Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition.
The full results are as follows:
Class 1 (beginners up to Grade 1 - any age)
Winner Elizabeth Waters (piano)
Commended Hannah Bodey (harp), Catriona Salmon (piano)
Class 2 (school years 5 and 6)
Section 1 - Piano, voice and strings
Winner Aloise Hickey (voice)
Highly Commended Lucinda Taylor (harp)
Commended Edward Beese (piano), Magnus Hall (cello)
Section 2 - Woodwind and brass
Winner Ben Nabarro (horn in F)
Commended Harry Brownlie (horn in F), Angus Smith (trumpet)
CLASS 2 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year: Aloise Hickey (voice)
Class 4 (school years 10 to 13)
Section 1 - Piano, voice and strings
Winner Naomi Fay (piano)
Highly Commended Rebecca Jennings (voice)
Section 2 - Woodwind and brass
Winner Fiona Robinson (cornet)
Commended David Emms (clarinet)
CLASS 4 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year: Naomi Fay (piano)
Class 5 (school years 7 to 9)
Section 1 - Piano, voice and strings
Winner Isobel Jennings (voice)
Highly Commended Tristram Cooke (viola)
Commended Edward McDonald (cello)
Section 2 - Woodwind and brass
Winner Benjamin Kirk (horn in F)
Highly Commended Imogen Schofield (flute)
Commended Francesca Sutcliffe (flute), Sam Duffield (trumpet), Alexander Peter (oboe)
CLASS 5 WINNER and Ripon Young Musician of the Year: Isobel Jennings (voice)
Most Promising Performers
Lucinda Taylor (harp)
Tristram Cooke (viola)
For more information contact David Winpenny on 01765 607641