About the Competition
Music in Action and the Jersey Academy of Music are delighted to launch the Jersey Young Flautists Competition, giving local young musicians a unique opportunity to perform a concerto with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra in 2022.
The winner, who will be selected by the Adjudication Panel, will receive the opportunity to perform the world-premiere of the Flute Concerto in E minor by Jersey composer, Derek Lawrence.
Presented in partnership with the Jersey Academy of Music
The winner will be announced on 30 April 2021.
The competition is a part of a larger initiative by Music in Action to support the education of young woodwind players on the island. To learn more about out educational programmes, click here.
Meet the Semi-Finalists
Rebecca Arthur
Chloé Connor
Cosimo Dhami-Hounsome
Luke Perrée
Aisling O’Sullivan
Learn more about each competitor here
Meet the Adjudicators
Eamonn Dougan
Conductor of the Jersey Chamber Orchestra
Gareth McLearnon
Internationally renowned and award-winning flautist, composer, and educator
Edward Leaker
Head of Woodwinds at Wells Cathedral School of Music
Learn more about the Adjudication Panel here
Meet Derek Lawrence
Derek trained at the Royal College of Music and Greenwich University before becoming a Music and Drama specialist in the London Borough of Redbridge. There he joined the staff of the prestigious Redbridge Music School, teaching composition and arranging and conducting one of the senior orchestras. He became a head teacher and then a Local Education Authority Officer.
He composed and arranged for the bi-annual Redbridge Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, conducting on several occasions. He has been musical director of many operas and musical shows.
Since retiring and moving to Jersey, his island compositional highlights include a commission from Durrell to write “The Durrell Suite” performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at their 50th Anniversary Concert; a commission from the Jersey Instrumental Service to write ‘The Jersey Rhapsody’ for the Jersey Youth Orchestra; a piano concerto performed by local pianist, Christopher George; a requiem "in Flanders' Fields" performed by the Jersey Festival Choir; and a song for an aspiring Girl Band in New York.
In addition, Derek has composed and arranged music for a very wide number of different Jersey instrumental combinations - from string trios to 13 piece show bands, from children’s groups to full symphony orchestras, from male voice choirs to 70 piece string orchestras.