Amongst strong competition at one of the City’s most prestigious cultural events, Year 13 King Edward’s pupil, Sebrina Lambert-Rose performed superbly on the cello to win the coveted title of ‘Bath Young Musician of the Year.’
Playing to a packed house in The Pump Room, Sebrina played three contrasting pieces with a technical virtuosity and a maturity beyond her years that dazzled the three expert judges and left a very knowledgeable audience glowing with appreciation.
The five incredibly talented finalists all played to a superb standard and covered a broad range of instruments, including piano, violin and French horn.
Commenting on Sebrina’s mesmerising performance, the judges particularly praised the way in which she communicated with her audience, drawing them in with her controlled interpretation of challenging and contrasting pieces by Fauré, de Falla and Britten.
After being presented with the trophy Sebrina said: ‘I was very nervous before my performance but then relaxed and began to enjoy playing.
“I didn’t expect to win at all, it came as a total surprise. Now I am absolutely over the moon!”
Sebrina added: “Mr Drury, Head of Music at KES, has been brilliant encouraging my confidence and without my tutor, Richard May, I would not have achieved such a successful performance.”
Peter Lloyd Williams, who reviewed the evening’s performances on behalf of organisers, the Mid-Somerset Festival, noted that Sebrina showed ‘a highly developed technical expertise’ alongside ‘a beautifully crafted understanding of the intensity of feeling inherent in the spirit of the music,’ adding that it was ‘an exceptional performance, from a player whose name we shall surely be hearing again.’
Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward’s School, attended the event and is immensely proud of Sebrina’s performance, commenting: “It was a privilege to be there, on the night, and witness Sebrina’s wonderfully accomplished performance.
“She is a very talented musician and the whole school joins me in congratulating Sebrina on her success.”
Sebrina, who leads the cellos in the KES Senior Orchestra, plays in the KES Baroque Group and sings alto in the KES Senior Choir, is hoping to go on to study at one of the UK’s top music conservatoires, and has auditions coming up at the Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal College of Music, among others.