Pianist tops scale for contest victory

A pianist has been crowned the winner of the Bingham and District Rotary Club Young Musician Of The Year competition.

Tom Dunnington (10) impressed the judges in the final at Robert Miles Junior School, Bingham, on Wednesday.

Tom, of Northfield Avenue, Radcliffe, attends Radcliffe Junior School.

He performed Allegro Grazioso by Biehl, Mozzie by Elissa Milne, and Flying Above The Clouds by Alan Bullard.

He received a glass bell from the president of the Rotary Club, Mr Robert Dent, and £30 of music vouchers for Shelborne Sound, Radcliffe.

Tom, who has been playing the piano for five years, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win. I cannot believe it.”

He thanked his music teacher, Mrs Brenda Hall, for her help.

He said this was the first time he had won a competition.

Last year he did not make it through to the final.

There were three finalists who were highly commended by the judges.

They were flautist Alisha Selby (10) of Langar Church of England School, violinist Rie Tyson-Millard (9) of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, East Bridgford; and Bethan Nicholass (10) of Flintham Primary School, who was in the final twice for her cornet and piano playing.

They received £15 music vouchers for Shelborne Sound.

The competition organiser, Mr Graham Lomax, said it was a very good competition set to a high standard and he was pleased with the number of entries.

The judges were Mrs Susan Carden, Mrs Judy Holborrow, Mr Bob Jones, Mrs Jean Oates and Mrs Jane Purchase.