Felicitations to King’s Ely Senior student, Thomas Strudwick, for his stellar achievement in this year’s School Organists’ Association Young Organists’ Competition!
Thomas, who is a former Ely Cathedral Chorister and is heavily involved in the music scene here at King’s, has been crowned the winner of the national competition’s Intermediate Class.
Thomas, who is in Year 10, submitted a video of him playing Buxtehude’s ‘Praeludium in C’ on the Cathedral Organ.
Describing his winning piece, Professor Edward Higginbottom, the music scholar, organist, choirmaster, and conductor who adjudicated the competition, said: “A very fine performance. It had rhetorical swagger where needed, tight ensemble when that was required, brilliant passagework as the occasion arose, and an overall sense of improvisatory brilliance. Your fingers are in very good shape, not least in the lively trills. Excellent composure at the console. Many congratulations.”
Thomas, who only started playing the organ in October 2022, said: “I am very surprised but extremely pleased to have won.”
Bravo, Thomas – a super achievement!