Tom's top brass earns him Arun's best young musician title

Adjudicators Lisa Smith and Adrian Bawtree drew on a fine selection of young talent from the main competition held two weeks before, to create a programme that had something for almost every taste.

Above all, this finals concert was all about the amazing range, variety of music and talents of local young performers aged from six to 19.

And for the first time since the festival began in 1980, the coveted title Arun Young Musician of the Year 2008 went to a brass player. Tom Griffiths, 16, from West Chiltington, wowed the adjudicators and the audience with his skills as a trumpeter. Accompanied by Brett Wellcome at the piano, he demonstrated his technique in Goedicke's Concert Etude and improvisations on Gershwin's Summertime.

Fine performances

Tom enjoyed more success as a member of the Bayleaf Brass Quintet, which scooped the Ruth Dyson Trophy, awarded to the best instrumental ensemble.

While it was a resounding success for the brass, the concert featured a plethora of other fine performances. Junior choirs, family ensembles, vocal and piano duets, instrumental and vocal soloists all played their part in an entertainment second to none.

Pianists ranged from the diminutive Lina Mazzone and her sister, Millie to more seasoned performers, Karim Bedda and Ciara Fitzroy. Vocal soloists included the pure sounds of boy soprano Noah Hedges and regular attendees Dominique Hawken and Jessica Black.

Dominique's "I will let you down", which she sang to her own guitar accompaniment, and Robert Campkin's gorgeous violin solo, "Russian Lullaby", showed their ability not only to perform the music of others but also to write some pretty good stuff themselves.

Better every year

Vocal duettists, Emily Tuson and Henrietta Fooks reminded us of Christmas. Spanish carol, Ala Nanita Nana, is one of the most beautiful I haven't heard before and they sang it in its original language.

Upper Beeding Primary School's Roller Ghoster prompted us to remember the real time of year '“ very scary, but superbly sung and choreographed under their director, Corrine Wellby.

Ann Findlay, president of the Rotary club, summed it up perfectly '“ "Every year, although hard to believe, it gets better."

I concur wholeheartedly with Ann because, in the relatively short time I've been attending AYM, this was one of the finest performed, most varied and entertaining conclusions to the festival.

Many thanks to everyone who took part, not least those who didn't win an award on this occasion. All of you clearly won the hearts of the audience and one sympathises greatly with the adjudicators in their seemingly impossible task.

Arun Young Musician 2008 Roll of Honour

Arun Young Musician of the Year 2008, also awarded the Raven Cup for Best Instrumentalist, Tom Griffiths (trumpet).

Arun Young Musician of the Year 2008 runner-up, awarded the Vi Casey Trophy, Jessica Wadey (violin).

Arun Junior Choir of the Year 2008, awarded the Arun Choral Society Shield, Upper Beeding Primary School (conducted by Corrine Wellby).

Angmering Chorale Bursary (vocalist), shared by Jessica Black and Dominique Hawken.

Sinfonia of Arun (instrumentalist) Robert Campkin (violin).

Rotary Club Of Littlehampton (most promising musician), Imy Luc (piano).

Paul Backwell Trophy (vocalist under 12 years), Noah Hedges.

Rustington Music Group Trophy (instrumentalist under 12), Millie Mazzone (piano).

Ruth Dyson Trophy (best ensemble), Bayleaf Brass Quintet.

Susannah Flegg Trophy (best vocalist), Jessica Black.

The Dennis Cup (composition), Dominique Hawken.

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