Bursary beneficiaries show off musical skills

Friday 03 November 2023

Five young musicians who have benefitted from the Guernsey Music Bursary have demonstrated their new musical talents in a recital at St James.

The Guernsey Music Bursary was set up in 2021 as a charitable cause to assist young musicians who travel off-island to foster their music skills through study.

The recital was attended by music lovers who have donated to the scheme, as well as other who the directors hope will consider supporting in future. They were able to speak to the musicians to hear how the cash helped or will help the development of their musical careers.

Each of the five played up to two pieces with their preferred instrument, accompanied by music teachers Chris Holland and Daniel Madden on the piano.

Benjamin Childs played piano and cello and he will soon relocate to the University of Manchester to study music, having developed his skills for more than a decade in Guernsey. 

Madaleine Vaudin took to the flute in the recital, while also being a keen singer. She too will be following Mr Childs to Manchester for the same course.

Louise Madden recently graduated from Manchester with a first in singing and has begun work as a Chorus Officer in a youth orchestra chorus in Birmingham.

Annabelle Pizzey played oboe having graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She now plans to move to London to complete a masters at the Royal Academy of Music.

And Jacob Wright, violin, is about to start his third year at the Royal Northern College of Music with a second year of funding coming from the bursary. 

All say the bursary funds helped them to attend extra lessons or pay for necessary equipment.

Pictured: The five performers at the recital.

The Guernsey Music Bursary has seen generous donations since it was launched with two rounds of donations to students made since then. 

Support comes in packages from £1,500 to £2,500 per year but also guarantees mentoring for recipients.

Measures have been put in place for the bursary recipients to attend Southbank Sinfonia rehearsals and to interact with players of their instruments. Guernsey Music Centre already has a strong relationship with the young orchestra.

The directors of the bursary are seeking a continuous flow of funds from generous donors who believe in the importance of top musical education for local students to foster their skills and benefit the island.