Crumbled a few years ago through lack of interest, entrants, will, whatever... :-(
But some enterprising veterans organised it afresh this year, and hundreds of people entered! A couple of my students won their piano classes, which was nice, considering the quality of the opposition, and I was hired to be the accompanist for difficult pieces (Rach cello sonata, Brahms C minor Scherzo, etc) at the prizewinners' concert last Wednesday. Which was a great honour. There were some truly delightful performances, lots of young talent, and a real sense of fun and enjoyment about the evening. Even though it went on for three and a half hours!
Several performances made my spine tingle: Shostakovich Piano Trio (1st mvt) by a group of VI formers; Bohm's virtuosic Introduction and Polonaise by a very young violinist; Swavesey Village College St Cecilia Choir in an arrangement of Danny Boy... but all 31 items were satisfying.
It is very encouraging for the state of classical/folk/stage music in the UK to see something like this. And from the front row, too!
