KING’S Ely Junior pupil and Ely Cathedral Chorister, Thomas Strudwick, has been Commended in this year’s Choir Schools’ Association (CSA) Willcocks Composition Competition.

Thomas, who is in Year 8 and is one of our Head Choristers, says he is “pleased but surprised” to have been Commended in the Junior Section of the competition, which was launched forty years ago and is an early steppingstone for many in musical composition.

Thomas’ Commendation is for ‘Sing to the Lord a New Song’, which he wrote earlier this year and which was first performed as an introit at a Saturday Evensong at Ely Cathedral in September.

2021 is quite a landmark in the competition’s history as it was launched by the CSA back in 1981. There have been many distinguished adjudicators since then, including Sir David Willcocks. Other well-known names include Dr Lionel Dakers, Professor William Mathias, Professor Kenneth Leighton, and Professor Peter Aston. Since 2012 it has enjoyed the support of the David Willcocks Music Trust and this year’s competition was judged by Sir David’s grandson, Charlie, and his father, Jonathan.

Congratulations Thomas – what a fantastic achievement!

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