Winning performance
Australian baritone Morgan Pearse won a Gold Medal and Sterling
pounds 16,000 in the Royal Overseas League(ROSL) Annual Music
Competition. ROSL Director of Arts Roderick Lakin reports
The ROSL Annual Music Competition Final took place on Monday, June 3
at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. The Chairman of the distinguished
panel of judges was Gavin Henderson CBE, Principal of Central School of
Speech and Drama, who presided over a panel of 12 judges, nine of whom
are past ROSL prize winners. The Guest of Honour and prize-giver was the
renowned Singaporean pianist Melvyn Tan, himself winner of the ROSL Gold
Medal in 1976.
The other finalists, who each received Sterling pounds 5,000, were
Peter Moore trombone (Chetham's School, Manchester), Michael Foyle
violin (Royal Academy of Music) and Sophia Dee piano (Guildhall School
of Music and Drama).
Specialist vocal and instrumental juries had selected the performers
at the Final from more than 500 soloists, accompanists and ensemble
members from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand,
South Africa and the UK. The demanding auditions had been held over a
six week period in February and March at Over-Seas House London.
During the jury deliberations, the audience enjoyed the flair and
artistry of the Françoise-Green Piano Duo (Royal College of Music) and
Tempest flute trio (Royal Northern College of Music), winners of the
competition's two ensemble awards of Sterling pounds 10,000 each.
They were joined by other outstanding young musicians, who won
specialist instrumental and overseas awards totalling a further Sterling
pounds 16,000.
Jennifer Hughes (Royal College of Music) won the Accompanist Award of
Sterling pounds 5,000, while Australian pianist Primavera Shima was
awarded a Tait Memorial Scholarship worth Sterling pound 1,000, the
Lorna Viol Memorial Prize of Sterling pounds 3,000 for an outstanding
overseas musician, and a specially commissioned Overseas Trophy from
ceramic artist Lydia Hardwick (Royal College of Art).
As with ROSL prize winners of the previous 60 years, Morgan Pearse
and the ROSL 'class of 2013' are certain to become familiar names to the
concert-going public in the years to come.
A musical legacy
Roderick Lakin remembers two loyal supporters of the ROSL Annual
Music Competition who recently made bequests.
In the last issue of Overseas I wrote about the great contribution
legacies from members have played in the development of the ROSL Annual
Music Competition over the past 60 years. Since writing that article I
have received notification of generous bequests towards our musical
endeavours from two long-standing supporters, Harry Miller and Margaret
Ker.
 When I joined ROSL 30 years ago, Harry Miller was already one of the
most enthusiastic followers of the competition auditions and converts.
His support dates back to the 1960s and thanks to his generosity, an
Ensemble Prize was established in 1970, in addition to the solo awards.
In 1982, he gave ROSL a fine trophy to be presented to the Ensemble
Prize winners - an antique Chinese silver gilt ship, which bears a
similarity to the ship depicted in the ROSL crest.
The ensemble prize has grown in strength and stature over the years
and is now as important as the first prize and Gold Medal for soloists.
Since 2005, two equal ensemble prizes have been awarded: one for
strings, strings and piano, and piano duo/duet and the other for wind,
vocal and mixed ensembles.
In recent years, due to ill health, Harry was unable to attend the
auditions he enjoyed so much, but he continued to follow the
competition. According to the executor of his estate, he often spoke
about how much he enjoyed the clubhouse and the wonderful young
musicians and exceptional music-making he enjoyed there.
I first started presenting concerts by ROSL prize winners at the
Edinburgh clubhouse on Princes Street 20 years ago.
From the very first concert with South African cellist Liam Abramson,
until last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe series, Scottish member
Margaret Ker was a keen supporter and only missed a concert when she
went on her frequent travels.
She enjoyed life to the full and often counselled those younger to
make the most of their health and vitality. She loved the Edinburgh
clubhouse and will be fondly remembered for her positive and joyful
presence.
The legacies from Margaret Ker and Harry Miller will be held in the
ROSL Centenary Appeal Fund within the ROSL Golden Jubilee Trust
(registered charity number 306095). The ROSL Centenary Appeal was
launched to secure endowment of awards for outstanding young musicians
in the ROSL Annual Music Competition.
Courtesy ROSL
|
