Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra

www.gloucestershiresymphony.org.uk

  • Concerts
  • Previous Concerts
    • Listen to Samples
  • About Us
    • Who’s Who
      • Conductor – Glyn Oxley
      • Leader – Marie Roberts
    • Press Reviews
    • Data Protection and Safeguarding
  • Support
  • Playing Members
    • Rehearsal & Concert Schedule
    • Vacancies
  • Contact
  • Gloucestershire Young Musician 2020
  • Previous Gloucestershire Young Musicians

Darcy Beck crowned Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year 2020

March 4, 2020 by Damian Leave a Comment

Darcy Beck was always fascinated by the sounds of instruments coming from the back of the orchestra and so began her career as a percussionist.
Last night, the 18-year-old gap year student from Prestbury, became the county’s Young Musician of the Year 2020 – and the first percussionist to do so.
Her spell-binding performance on a marimba, loaned by the Nicholas Branston Foundation, opened the finals at Pittville Pump Room. She wowed the judges – complete with one piece on timbales involving light sticks in a darkened auditorium.
The former Cheltenham Ladies’ College student will be setting off to read Music at Cardiff University in September. But, just as with last year’s contest, the audience had a different idea about who should have won. Their choice was 16-year-old pianist Edwin Ward, from Cirencester, whose superb ‘smoking-jacket’ inspired performance of Erroll Garner’s ‘Misty’ persuaded the audience he should receive the Carducci Music Trust Audience Prize.
The county’s musical youth shone with superb performances from 15-year-old cellist Souny Park from Cheltenham Ladies’ College, 17-year-old pianist Aaron Le Maistre from Sir Thomas Rich’s School and 18-year-old flautist Bethany Loader, from Denmark Road High School.
And to top off the evening, while the judges Professors Derek Aviss and Christine Hankin, and Meurig Bowen considered their verdict, the audience was treated to a performance by 2016 winner Adam Heron, who played Sonata No 3 by Chopin.
Glyn Oxley, musical director of organisers Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra, compered the evening with great humour.

Watch a video of Darcy’s winning performance.

Darcy Beck playing timbales using light sticks

Darcy Beck playing timbales using light sticks

Darcy Beck, winner GYM 2020

Darcy Beck, winner GYM 2020

GYM 2020 winner Darcy Beck receives the Hewitt-Jones Trophy from composer Thomas Hewitt-Jones

GYM 2020 winner Darcy Beck receives the Hewitt-Jones Trophy from composer Thomas Hewitt-Jones

 

GYM 2020 finalists from left, Edwin Ward, Aaron Le Maistre, Darcy Beck (seated), Bethany Loader and Souny Park

GYM 2020 finalists from left, Edwin Ward, Aaron Le Maistre, Darcy Beck (seated), Bethany Loader and Souny Park

GYM 2020 Audience Prize winner Edwin Ward

GYM 2020 Audience Prize winner Edwin Ward

 

 

GYM 2020 winner Darcy with the judges, from left Professor Derek Aviss, Professor Christine Hankin and Meurig Bowen

Darcy with the judges, from left Professor Derek Aviss, Professor Christine Hankin and Meurig Bowen

 

Adam Heron playing during the judging

Adam Heron playing during the judging

 

Darcy Beck receives her £500 cash prize from Patrick Daly of the Brimpsfield Music Society

Darcy Beck receives her £500 cash prize from Patrick Daly of the Brimpsfield Music Society

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Sign Up for Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this website and receive occasional updates by email.

My Tweets

Copyright © 2021 · Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra · Registered Charity No. 294382 · Built by Raspberry

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Like most websites we use cookies. We are required by EU regulations to obtain your consent first. What do you say? More info