After six months or so of planning and lots of practising, nine finalists met at the Brentwood Theatre on Saturday 26th September for final rehearsals before playing to out panel of professional judges.
Hosted by Phoenix FM presenters Lucy Costello and Ed Wellman, in front of an audience, the finalists played to an amazingly high standard to judges Michael Frith (Middlesex University), Philippa Penkett (St Cedd’s School, Chelmsford) and Benjamin Grosvenor (International pianist & winner of 2004 Keyboard BBC Young Musician). To add to the pressure for the competitors to do their very best, the whole evening was recorded for future broadcast, and the performers received feedback from the judges ‘X factor-style’ immediately after they had performed.
We heard music from all classical styles, covering all the instrumental groups, including some sung Musical Theatre items. Whilst the judges retired to the green room to consider who should be winners of the classes, and the unenviable task of selecting an overall winner of the 2009 Young Classical Award, Essex oboist Clare Greenwood treated us to two dazzling pieces for the Oboe. Lucy and Ed then took to the stage to perform J S Bach’s ‘Ave Maria’ and the classic song ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’.
The judges returned with news of the winners, as follows: (accompanying audio files are interviews, conducted by Phoenix FM presenter Mike Le-Surf)
Senior Piano
1st place William Church
2nd place Sasha Millwood
Junior Piano
1st place Jack Angell
Senior Strings
1st place Erin Robinson
Senior Woodwind
1st place Sarah Woollatt
Junior Voice
1st place Rosie Bloom
Senior Voice
1st place Charlotte Smith
2nd place Dawn Billing
Senior Brass
1st place Sam Hayday
Our Phoenix FM Chairman, Mr Paul Golder thanked all the performers, the judges, the audience and hosts and presented the trophy for the Phoenix FM Young Classical Musician of the Year 2009 to…
Sarah Woollatt, to whom we say congratulations, which of course we say to everyone who took part. We spoke to Sarah after winning too …
Everyone went away with a smart certificate, a music voucher (sponsored by James Dace & Son, Chelmsford), having played brilliantly, made some new friends, and been part of our 1st event of this kind to showcase the musical talent in Brentwood and Billericay.
Stay tuned to Phoenix FM to hear the 2009 finalists play live on Monday Classics over the next few months, and we will return in a years time for the 2010 Young Classical Musician Awards.
Well done to everyone who took part, thank you to our friends at the Theatre, and to the great Phoenix crew (Bryan, Julie, Mike, Paul) on the night.
The Finalists
The Finalists
William Church
William Church
The judges: Philippa Penkett, Benjamin Grosvenor and Michael Frith
Sasha Millwood
Ed Wellman
Dawn Billing
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte Smith
Erin Robinson
Julie Morrissey, Mike Le-Surf and Lucy Costello
Julie Morrissey, Mike Le-Surf and Lucy Costello
Lucy Costello
Lucy and Ed
Jack Angell
Rosie Bloom
Sarah Woollatt
Sam Hayday
Clare Greenwood
Clare Greenwood
Clare Greenwood
Lucy and Ed
Lucy and Ed
Lucy Costello
Paul Golder
Paul Golder
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte Smith
Dawn Billing
Erin Robinson
Jack Angell
Rosie Bloom
Sarah Woollatt
Sam Hayday
Paul, Lucy and Ed
Sasha Millwood
The Judges
The Judges, Ed and Lucy
