The national final of the Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) Young Musician competition took place on Saturday May 3 at Truro School. Sixteen competitors took part from Tralee, Glasgow, Anglesey, Cardiff, London, Bournemouth, Rutland, Chelmsford, Leicester, Truro, Cheltenham and Bishops Stortford. Each performer had up to ten minutes to impress the three adjudicators and they achieved an exceptionally high standard.
The Best Instrumentalist Award was won by Pianist Robert Cheung from Old Windsor, who played Liszt’s Liebestraume followed by Cat and Mouse by Aaron Copland. Vocalist Isabelle Atkinson of Bournemouth won Best Singer performing four songs demonstrating a mature vocal range.
The event was compered by Daphne Skinnard of BBC Radio Cornwall and organised by Rotarians from Cornwall and West Devon. Harrods sponsored the winners’ prizes and local companies Roddas, Philps Pasties, Warrens Bakery and Trenance Chocolates provided Cornish hospitality.
David Jones of the Rotary Club of Hayle, who organised the event said: “We are delighted to have hosted the RIBI Young Musician national final for the first time ever in Cornwall. I would like to congratulate the winners and thank all the competitors for taking part.”
RIBI organises a range of youth competitions to encourage young people to develop their skills and talents and the national finals are held each year in a different location.
