It has been so pleasing to hear the young Musicians of the Prep School playing in the heats and the final of the Sydenham Prep Young Musician of the year competition. The heats took place before half term, split into three categories: strings, woodwind/brass/percussion and piano. Nearly 30 pupils playing grade 2 standard pieces or above took part in the heats. I adjudicated the heats choosing nine performances to go through the final. The choice was difficult as there was such a variety of high standard performances and all pupils performed with such fluency and confidence.

The final was a real treat, forgetting it was a competition for a while. Mr Ward (Acting Director of Music at Senior School) adjudicated for the finals and was impressed by the high standard of performances. Zella and Bobo were commended for their piano and recorder performances while the overall winner of the competition was Noa Morris in year 6 who played cello with a professional tone colour. Noa then treated the Prep School to her winning performance in the next assembly. I’m sure there will be much more to see from these promising young musicians in the future. I can’t wait for the day when I see them performing on the BBC young musician competition in the future. Thank you to Ms Bloor for accompanying the pupils and to Mr Ward for his adjudication.

– Ms Duval, Head of Prep Music