21st of November 2023
First Junior Ashburnham English Song Awards Finals
Adjudicating with our Artistic Director Louise Winter was Mary Weingold, a highly experienced and respected Professor of Voice at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London and before presenting the Awards, Mary explained the reasoning behind their choices: ‘the voice may be beautiful but the singer also needs to connect with the audience and tell the song’s story with emotion’. It was this ability that won Alfie Gidney the First Prize of a £100 voucher, kindly donated by Brittens Music. Alfie performed Go Lovely Rose by Roger Quilter and Dusk by Armstrong Gibbs.
A second prize of a £50 Brittens Music voucher was awarded to Edie Holm for her lovely performance of A Blackbird Singing by Michael Head and Dream Valley by Roger Quilter. Prizes were also awarded to accompanists Rupert Sheppard and Alexander Wakeford for their exceptionally fine playing.
It was both delightful and encouraging to hear songs from our centuries-old heritage of music brought to life by a new generation of singers.
We are so grateful to Battle Abbey School for making this event possible by allowing us to use the beautiful Abbot’s Hall and for their generous hospitality afterwards. Also to Brittens Music for donating the Singers’ prizes.
