Rory W Wins Elgar Festival’s Young Composers’ Competition

Talented Upper Fourth Music Scholar, Rory W, has been announced as the winner of the Elgar Festival Young Composers’ competition, in the 11-14 category.

His Wind Trio, Medieval Festival, was performed by three professional musicians at the Festival’s Elgar for Everyone Concert in Worcester Cathedral on Saturday.

Rory said: “When I got the email that I had won the Elgar Festival, it was so exciting to know that my piece was going to be played by a real ensemble (the professionals)!  I was given lots of constructive feedback to improve my piece, and it was nice to receive such feedback from renowned local composer, Ian Venables.  As I heard my piece played, it reminded me of the importance of the phrasing that I add to the score, and the dynamics too.”

Of Rory’s composition, Ian Venables said: “The melodic ideas are striking and the music has a strong rhythmic drive as well as some effective modulations. Rory used all three instruments skilfully (particularly, the flute and bassoon) and each one has an opportunity to shine.”

The Elgar for Everyone Concert also featured several King’s pupils who performed side by side with professional musicians from the English Symphony Orchestra. The concert had a teddy bear theme which included a performance of Paddington’s First Concert, narrated by Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes.

Photo credit: Michael Whitefoot