Rickmansworth Young Musician Competition

About RYMY

Our People

Chairman

Robert Bradshaw rbradshaw433@btinternet.com

2012 Preliminary Round Adjudicators

Michiko Negami
Michiko is originally from Japan. Since moving to the UK she has won prizes at festivals such as National Eisteddfod and Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians, where she was awarded the most outstanding string player award. Later she studied at the RAM under Sophie Langdon and Diana Cummings. She enjoys a dual career as performer and teacher. She has played with many orchestras and chamber groups at venues such as St. John's Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. As a soloist, she has given concerto performances and solo recitals in the UK and in Japan.

Stuart McGowan
Having played jazz and blues in various bands, Stuart McGowan studied classical guitar with Zack Taylor, Professor Oliver Hunt and David Russell. A love of music for guitar ensemble led to his playing in the Lyra Guitar Trio and the London Guitar Orchestra. He has collaborated with Gilbert Biberian over many years on several didactic and performance projects, most recently in the New Omega Players.

He has given many recitals as an accompanist to singers, flautists and violinists and has composed/arranged many pieces that expand the repertoire for these combinations of instruments and that take advantage of the 8-string guitar that he plays. He has been teaching at North London Collegiate School and City of London Boys School for more than 20 years.

2012 Finals Adjudicators

Mr Greg Mitchell

David Oliver ARAM ARCM LRAM
David Oliver has travelled widely as an examiner, undertaking tours to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. He also works as an adjudicator at music festivals and has recently made his third appearance as one of a team of judges at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.

TBA

Prizes for the 2012 Competition

First Prize - £400
Second Prize - £200
Third Prize - £100

To celebrate our 30th year, there will be an additional "People's Prize". For this the audience will be invited to vote for the finalist whom they think has performed best. This prize will be worth £100.

Our History

This competition for students of classical music was first inaugurated in 1983 following a joint initiative by Rotary Club of Rickmansworth and Three Rivers Music Society. It has taken place annually and has grown from strength to strength. The standard of musicianship from the competitors is high. Many finalists continue their studies at major music colleges in the UK or abroad. A number become members of the National Youth Orchestra and then progress to major symphony orchestras, some becoming principals.

Until 2007, our title was "Three Rivers" but over the years, the competition has outgrown this artificial boundary and competitors come from a wide range of schools, many of which are outside the District boundary. The competitors themselves hale from Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, London or neighbouring counties. Some pupils attending schools within this area live abroad including mainland Europe, Israel or SE Asia.

The competition is open to musicians under the age of 19 who are studying any instrument of the classical discipline, or voice. The minimum standard is Grade VI and although many competitors are above this level, we welcome all qualifying students since the competion provides an invaluable opportunity to perform in public. Eight finalists are chosen at the preliminary rounds (held at a local school in May). Prize money totals about £800 and all finalists receive a monetary prize. Local companies and individuals provide sponsorship, prize money and encouragement.

One of the aims of the competition is to provide performing opportunities for young musicians, not only in the event itself but on other occasions. The main prize winners are invited to play before the Three Rivers Music Society in the September following the competition.

We have forged a link with the Amersham Music Festival. Three of our 2010 finalists were invited to perform at the Festival and a similar invitations has been etended for the 2012 Festival.

In the press

Musical Youth: Rickmansworth Young Musician of the Year 2009, Optima, 19 June 2009

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