Congratulations to Damian (Year 10), an exceptionally talented musician who has excelled in recent music festivals and competitions.
In November, Damian participated in four classes at the prestigious Sutton Music Festival, winning First Prize in all four categories. Three of his awards were rated as "Exceptional," while one was deemed "Outstanding." Here are his extraordinary achievements:
1. First Prize Concerto Cup and £100 donated by The HR Taylor Charitable Trust. First Prize in Concerto Class for Advanced Players, Open, Any age (Sebelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47, 1st Movement)
2. Senior Strings Cup. First Prize in Any Stringed Instrument, Open, Any age (Mozart Violin Concerto No.5 in A major, K.219, 3rd Movement)
3. Recital Cup Senior Strings, First Prize in Recital Class, Open, Any age (Mozart Concerto No.5 in A major KV.219, 1st movement with cadenza, Paganini Caprice No.9)
4. First Prize in Sonata Class - Any solo instrument with piano accompaniment 15 years and under. (Grieg Violin Sonata No.3 in C minor, Op.45, 1st movement)
As a result of these wins, Damian was invited to perform at the Prize Winners' Gala Concert on 1 December at Overton Grange School, where he performed alongside other talented musicians. The Festival President, the Worshipful the Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, presented Trophies and Awards to all prize winners at the end of the concert. This concert included vocal, strings, piano, speech & drama, choral, woodwind & brass.
Damian’s achievements continued at the UNA CLARK Young Soloist Competition on 12 November 2024, where he won with his performance of Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K.219, 1st Movement. This has earned him a solo performance with the Guildford Symphony Orchestra at the UNA CLARK Young Artists' Concert on Saturday 25 January 2025 at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford.
Beyond performing, Damian has showcased his talent as a composer. His recent composition, Overture 2024, is set to premiere in spring 2025, performed by the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Matthew Lloyd-Wilson. Damian has another Symphony called 'Scotland', composed at just age 13!
Earlier this year, Damian performed a fundraising recital at St. John’s the Evangelist Church in Merrow, where he played three stunning sonatas with pianist Alan Brown. The recital raised £1,200 for the church, and his upcoming Young Artists’ Concert is now being featured in their parish magazine.
Congratulations, Damian, on these incredible achievements!
