The Rotary Club of Banbury is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Young Musician of the Year competition by hosting a Gala Midsummer Concert, which is taking place at Tudor Hall School on Sunday 21st June.
Tickets have gone on sale this week for what promises to be a spectacular event with a host of internationally acclaimed artists taking centre stage. This special Gala event is being organised by Banbury Rotary Club and monies raised on the night will go to Katharine House Hospice.
The popular Banbury Young Musician of the Year competition is designed to give a platform to promising musicians, showcasing the talents of local performers aged between eight and 18. Banbury Rotary member, Gareth Jeremy, founded the competition as he wanted to resurrect the music element of the former ‘Banbury Arts and Craft Festival.’ A Banbury Rotarian, John Proctor who was the former Head of Dashwood Road Primary School, started the festival back in the 1950’s. Gareth acquired the original trophies from the festival, three of which are still in use.
The celebratory Midsummer Concert will see the return of some past competition winners including the very first winner in 1991, Marcel Zidani, who went on to be a professional musician and has performed in Europe and received glowing reviews for his Piano recitals. Other past winners who will perform on the night include:
- Bethany Porter – 2000
- Kris Reader – 2004
- Umito Choji – 2007
- Lucy Downer – 2003
- Serena Holbech -2012
- William Dibble who came runner up in the Rotary District 1090 competition in 2012
Gareth Jeremy said: “From humble beginnings, The Banbury Young Musician competition has now become a major musical event in the area. It’s a great opportunity to promote and celebrate our finest local talent and for 25 years it has provided a platform to propel tomorrow’s brightest talents. Many previous winners have gone on to achieve professional careers in music, so we are very proud to have played a part in their journey to success. We would love you to join us to help celebrate this landmark anniversary – what better way of enjoying the midsummer evening!”
Owen Kyffin, director at Whiltey Stimpson, one of the main sponsors of the Banbury Young Musician Midsummer Concert says: “Caring and supporting the communities we live in is very important to us at Whitley Stimpson, we are committed to giving back and have always believed that we can balance profitability and a social conscience. As specialists in the field of education and with our commitment to culture in the community, sponsoring events like this provides us with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this.”
The event is to take place at 7pm on Sunday 21st June at the main music hall at Tudor Hall School in Banbury, tickets are on sale for £10 at Fashion Fabrics in Parsons Street in Banbury.