Celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom presented awards to talented music students from local schools as part of the celebrations for Tonbridge Music Club’s Diamond Anniversary season.
Last month, at Tonbridge School Chapel, as part of Tonbridge Music Club’s (TMC) Diamond Anniversary Concert, eight promising local young musicians were given awards totalling £1,600. Making the presentations was Alison Balsom, the internationally-renowned trumpet player and
one of the evening’s star performers.
The winners came from a number of local schools and play a range of instruments from flutes to percussion.
Top prize went to Joe Steyn, a talented drummer, who hopes to make his career in music. Joe, a student at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, achieved distinction in Grade 8 and is already the drummer for three different bands. He plans to use his prize money to buy some new cymbals and to pay for extra lessons.
The runners up were Ellen Roff and Eddie Moskal. Ellen, now 16 years old and a student at Tonbridge Grammar School, has been playing the flute since she was nine. In December 2020, she gained a distinction at Grade 8 and now studies at the prestigious Royal College of Music Junior Department. She was thrilled recently to get through to the second round of auditions for a place with the National Youth Orchestra. She expects to use her prize to pay for longer music lessons.
Eddie Moskal, who attends St Mark’s Primary School in Tunbridge Wells, is only nine years old, but is already showing huge talent as a drummer. He has achieved distinction at Grade 5 and his teacher expects that he will get his Grade 8 by his 10th birthday. Eddie said he will be using his prize money to help pay for lessons and acoustic drums.
The awards were funded by generous donations from TMC members. Award-winners were selected from among dozens of talented applicants by a panel of local musicians.
Pat Gane, TMC Chair, said she was delighted that there were so many young, talented musicians living in the area. She added that the prizes help to celebrate the Club’s 60th anniversary along with its mission, as a charity, to promote the performance and appreciation of quality music.
