Fanfare for trio of top talent

FUTURE talent . . . winning musicians, from left, Ben Conway, Romana Hallstead and Samantha Wright

THREE young musicians tipped as the stars of the future got a major boost to their studies when they impressed judges with their flair.

Hosted by Oldham Music Service, the Future Talent charity picks out exceptional young musicians for cash prizes to further their studies.

The charity, founded by former primary school music teacher, the Duchess of Kent, is aimed at supporting young people who have exceptional talent, yet are in danger of being lost because they don’t have the financial means to fund their progress.

Some of the nation’s top musicians came to Oldham on the hunt for three young people who fit the bill.

Clarinettist, 16-year-old Samantha Wright won the gold award and £3,000, flugelhorn player Romana Hallstead (14) bagged the silver award and £2,000, and trumpeter Ben Conway (17) won the bronze and £1,000.

Samantha’s proud father, Stephen Wright, said: “She is absolutely over the moon, so elated, it means a heck of a lot to her.”

The Royton youngster faced stiff competition at the event, and Mr Wright said: “She never thought she would win. It’s fantastic, it means she can get private tuition and go on residential courses.”

He added: “Her teacher at Oldham Music Service, Richard Armstrong, died in February and she hasn’t been able to find the right teacher since.

“He inspired her in a big way, he was a fantastic teacher, and hopefully this prize will help her to find another teacher.”

Ben’s mother, Mrs Jo Conway said her son, who lives in Royton and goes to Crompton House School, was also “over the moon.”

She said: “It’s quite expensive bringing up a musician. For him to be awarded something like this is a fantastic opportunity for him to do things he couldn’t ordinarily do. It’s a reward for hard work and determination.”

North Chadderton School pupil Romana will use her win to buy a piccolo trumpet, which she needs to take her grade eight exam.

She said: “I enjoyed playing for the judges, it was good experience, and although I thought I played alright I didn’t really expect to win anything.”

The triumphant trio will join six other young North-West musicians to collect their awards from The Duchess of Kent and the president of Future Talent, Halle music director Sir Mark Elder, at a special prize ceremony during as Halle concert next May.

They will be able to spend their grants on helping them shine further on the music scene.

Oldham Music Service director Gerard Booth was on the judging panel, along with Halle Orchestra leader Lyn Fletcher and education director Steve Pickett.