Cellist Willard awarded Coombs Scholarship

Willard, supported by Future Talent since 2012, was selected from five exceptional candidates.

October 26, 2019

After considering a host of competitive applications throughout the summer, Future Talent selected five exceptional young musicians for the final of the charity’s most prestigious award, the Coombs Scholarship.

The Coombs Scholarship provides the successful candidate with £2,000 per year for two years, along with all the benefits of the Young Musicians Development Programme throughout that period.

The scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of the charity’s first administrator, Lucy Coombs, and is a testament to her enthusiasm and dedication to her work.

This was the third iteration of the Scholarship – the first was awarded in 2011 to double bassist Toby Hughes, and the second to saxophonist Rob Burton in 2016.

The panel was chaired by Future Talent Ambassador and international violinist Chloë Hanslip

‍

The 2019 finalists were Alexander (percussion), Ruby (flute), George (bassoon) Willard (cello) and Amelie (flute).

Alexander wowed the audience with his lively rendition of Emmanuel Sejourné’s Attraction

Before the judges announced their decision, there was a performance from former Coombs Scholar Ro Burton

‍

At the end of an evening filled with spectacular musical performances, the panel selected cellist Willard as their winner.

Supported by Future Talent since 2012, Willard is currently an undergraduate student at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid, under the tutelage of Ivan Monighetti.

‍

The finalists pose with their certificates with Ambassador Chloë Hanslip and Chairman Nick Robinson

‍