Congratulations, Ben!Thomson to feature on BBC
As reported on 4BR after the competition took place on the weekend, the BBC has informed the outside world that Ben Thomson, a 19 year old tuba player from Manchester, has won the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist 2006 Competition.
Ben won the competition at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester after beating two tenor horn players - Daniel Powell from Leicester and Kate Eggleshaw, from Sheffield - and Steven Haynes, a trombonist from Wakefield.
Ben is the first tuba player to have won the event, after being the first tuba player to have made it through to the finals. Currently studying at The Royal Northern College of Music Manchester, Ben was principal tuba with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for two years and is currently a reserve member of the European Youth Orchestra.
The finalists performed their chosen piece of music accompanied by The Black Dyke Band and conductor Nicholas Childs, with the exception of Ben, who played his piece without any music. They were judged by Jamie Prophet, principal trumpet with The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor and adjudicator Linda Nicholson.
The finals, presented by Frank Renton, can be heard on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 7 April, 9.30-10.30pm.
Steve Marcus
BBb Bass, Chicago Brass Band