The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers Woodwind Prize at the Guildhall School of Music - Thursday 23rd March

We had a marvellous evening at the Guildhall School of Music enjoying listening to the four extraordinarily gifted finalists of our Woodwind Prize Competition. Two played the flute, one a clarinet and one played recorders.

The event was well attended by Liverymen and friends and family of those involved. The programme was varied and interesting ranging from well-known pieces such as the Prokofiev Sonata No 2 in D Major, Op. 94 and the Bach Hamburger Sonata in G Major for Flute and Piano, to entirely new pieces (for most of us) such as the Maki Ishii - Black Intention and Ian Clarke – Hatching Alien.

The winner, Sophie Creaner, played 5 types of recorder, at one point playing two at the same time was remarkably versatile. Each of her three pieces was very different as was her accompaniment.

For the first she was accompanied by a viola da gamba and harp, the second a Japanese piece included a gong and for the third she was accompanied by the piano. She was a worthy winner.

I was however grateful I didn’t have to make the decision as to who won the competition; this was expertly undertaken by the Adjudicator: Kate Romano who used to teach at the School. She too agreed it wasn’t easy to choose between the four finalists and commended them all.

This year we gave each of the runners up a copy of our history book which seemed to please them and created discussion over supper. Liverymen hosted the finalists, their chosen guest and the Adjudicator over supper during which we were able to talk to them in some depth about their careers and aspirations.

As always it was an immense pleasure and privilege to be involved with such gifted young people , the evening was enjoyed by all including the students who said the audience was the best they had played to and that our individual interest in them was supportive.