Multiple triumphs for RCM performers

Wednesday 22 June 2011

The Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition is one of the UK's most high profile competitions for young artists. In an astonishing year, nearly all of the main awards have gone to RCM musicians.

The two Ensemble Awards, each worth £10,000, went to RCM Junior Fellows the Cavaleri Quartet and vocal ensemble Cries of London, which includes RCM singers Christopher Jacklin and Ben Williamson.

Collecting the Accompanists' Award of £5,000 was pianist Michael Ierace, who graduated from the RCM in 2010.

Finally, three of the four Soloists' Awards went to RCM performers: oboist Suzanne Thorn (currently studying on the Masters programme and RCMJD alumna) picked up the Worshipful Company of Dyers Award for Wind & Percussion; pianist and Junior Department alumnus Ashley Fripp collected the Award for Keyboard; while mezzo soprano Kitty Whately, currently studying at the RCM International Opera School, gained the Award for Singers. They picked up awards of £5,000 each.

For so many of the awards to go to representatives of one conservatoire is an unprecedented feat. Congratulations to them all.