YOUNG COMPOSER'S COMPETITION 2009

The format of the competition was changed this year, mainly because of the style of entries received, and in particular the ages of the entrants, especially the junior section where only a few entries were submitted. As there were a good number in the Senior section, we divided that into different styles of music and composing experience, then selected a winner for each group.

We also changed the adjudication this year and invited local professional musicians to mark each piece, and the total marks were then added up to give the overall winner. Many thanks to Mr T. Hughes and Mr J. Abbott for their professional judgement in helping to decide the overall winner.

The worthy winners were :-

• Madeleine Shackleton, (Junior) for her piece "Drunken Composer"
• Edgar Thompson, (Best Jazz) for "Sidewalk Groove"
• Laura Stubbs (Best New Entry), for her piece "Diamond Kilometre" which was performed at the presentation evening by Jessica Cooper, Laura Maclennan and Wendy Dolby
• The overall winner was Leo Geyer, from London, with his outstanding piece for 4 clarinets called "The Marquis of Marigold". Leo was unable to attend the award ceremony, but his trophy has been sent to him and now has pride of place on his desk!

Our warmest Congratulations to all the winners.

The awards were presented by the Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Margaret Simon, and the evening was once again a great success thanks to all those who helped to organise the event and the many helpers behind the scenes.