Young musicians awards, a final and three winners

Owen Spafford & Jacob Jordan, winners of the 2023 National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award

The final of the John Fussell Award for Young Musicians is coming up on 14 June at the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University, whilst in Yorkshire the winners of the 16th National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award, presented in partnership with BBC Radio 3, were announced. And over in Manchester, The Hallé announced the latest winner of The Terence Judd-Hallé Award, in partnership with BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artists.

The John Fussell Award is funded by a Trust set up in memory of John Fussell, a well-known figure in the South Wales music scene from 1970 until his death in 1990. Four finalists currently attending a music college and in their final or postgraduate year are competing for a first prize of £2,500 to enable them to continue their studies in music.  To be eligible for the competition all competitors must have either been born or raised in Wales, have Welsh heritage or studied in Wales. 

This year the finalists are Cardiff-born Grace Hope-Gill (soprano), Samuel Willsmore (oboe) who is currently studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Vale of Clwyd-born Dafydd Jones (tenor), and Pembrokeshire-born Anna Phillips (harp). The final is free to attend, at the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University on 14 June 2023 at 7.30pm.

The final of the 16th National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award, presented in partnership with BBC Radio 3, took place on Friday 12 May at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) in York. Aspiring young composers were invited to write a new piece for the acclaimed virtuoso period instrument group The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. This year, young composers were invited to base their work on a popular tune from the Spanish 'Golden Age' of the 16th and 17th centuries and create a new piece in the same spirit, using the melody as a starting point for their musical ideas. 

This year's winner in the 19 to 25 years category is Owen Spafford, with Bog Bodies. The winner in the 18 years and under category is Jacob Jordan with A Ceremonial Dance for Mice. Their works will be premiered by The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble at The Stoller Hall, Manchester on 9 November 2023, when the concert will be recorded by BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show, for broadcast on Sunday 26 November. Details from the awards website. 

Tom Borrow, winner of The Terence Judd-Hallé Award.

The Hallé has announced that BBC Radio 3 has selected Israeli pianist Tom Borrow as the latest winner of The Terence Judd-Hallé Award. The remarkably talented pianist, Terence Judd, tragically passed away in 1979 at the age of just 22. A trust was subsequently established in his name and an award has been presented in association with the Hallé for over 40 years. Notable past recipients include Stephen Hough, Nikolai Lugansky, Elisabeth Brauss and last year’s beneficiary, Alexander Gadjiev. Now presented in association with the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme, each year an outstanding young pianist approaching the end of the scheme is selected by the BBC to receive the award. 

Tom Borrow will receive support and professional development including at least one concerto performance with the Hallé, a chamber recital with Hallé musicians at Hallé St Peter’s, a solo recital as part of the Manchester Mid-Day Concert Series and a cash prize. Tom Borrow’s Hallé debut takes place on 21-25 February 2024 with five concerts in Manchester, Hanley and Sheffield. Tom has chosen to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3. Full details from the orchestra's website.