The Canterbury Festival Young Musician’s Bursary Competition has grown in popularity each year since its inception in 2011. Winner of last year’s Bursary Award, pianist Timon Staehler, has used his prize money to take part in the German music competition Jugend Musiziert, an international event for young musicians.

This year’s competition took place as part of the Festival programme on Monday 28 October. The judges on this occasion were David Flood, Director of Music, Canterbury Cathedral, Dr Chris Price, interim Director of Music at Canterbury Christ Church University, Alastair Hulme, Founder Member of the King’s Singers and Sophie Cameron, second violinist, Philharmonia Orchestra.

Competition was, as always, fierce. Brass, string, woodwind players and vocal performers, each an accomplished soloist, produced an exciting and varied evening’s music.

The winner, Siena Barr, is a clarinet player and student of Highworth Grammar School in Ashford. She impressed the judges with her performances of part of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Bernstein’s Sonata Grazioso. In addition to playing the clarinet, Siena also plays piano, jazz saxophone and flute. She is currently taught by Derek Hannigan of the BBC Concert Orchestra and English National Ballet. A member of Kent County Youth Orchestra and leader of Guildhall Wind Band, Siena has performed at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

We would like to congratulate Siena and all of this year’s finalists for outstanding performances that were delivered with passion and skill.  

The Canterbury Festival Bursary Competition is supported by the Festival Foundation.