Simon wins music award

Simon Bromley performed in the final of the contest last Thursday at Huntingdon Hall.

He received The Nomura Award, a prize of £250, which he can use towards a course of tuition, and a trophy.

Simon, who first started playing the instrument 10 years ago, performed the third movement of Hummel's trumpet concerto and Rondo For Lifey by Leonard Bernstein.

The musician was recently awarded a place at The Royal Northern College and will take up performance studies in trumpet from October.

He said he was surprised to have won, adding: "It was a bit of a shock at first but it has sunk in now. I have never won a competition before and it is really good."

Stephen Belinfante, chair of the panel of adjudicators, said: "Simon played outstandingly well. The judges felt that he has the potential to be a professional trumpet player.

"He combined musical flair and showmanship with perfect tuning and timing. His performance was both exciting and entertaining."

The 17-year-old, who lives in Stottesdon, Shropshire, said: "I like the sense of achievement when I play something really well. It is satisfying to know that hard work practising has paid off when I perform well."

Ben Dunnett, Simon's music teacher at the high school, said: "It is fantastic news. He has worked very hard and we have seen him develop really well over the last two years. We are looking forward to hearing good things from him in the future."

It was the seventh year of Worcestershire Young Musicians, organised in partnership with BBC Hereford and Worcester and six young soloists and two ensembles from schools across the county were selected from the first round entries to perform at the final.

Among the finalists was pianist, Christopher Fossey, 17, of Areley Kings, who is a student at Stourport High School and played Clair de Lune and Autumn Crocus.

Pianist Alix Pochribniak, 17, from Spennells, Kidderminster, who attends Haybridge High School, also performed at the final.