2016 Young Theatre Organist of the Year

This year we were very kindly hosted at the Astoria Centre, Barnsley by Kevin Grunill and his team.  We had 6 contestants, from left to right: Daniel Lane, Freya Vicarey, Lewis Scott, Dominic Standing, Lucy Crouch and Robert Eldridge.

Display of trophies for Young Theatre Organist of the Year, left to right: Dean Herrick Memorial Award, Christie Cup and the first, second and third for 2016

 Our 2016 panel of judges were, from left to right: Glyn Madden, Chairman Len Rawle MBE and Jean Martyn.

Whilst the judges decided the winners we were entertained to a varied second half of entertainment, which began with young Scottish organist Aaron Hawthorne.

 Jayden Vicarey, brother of our youngest contestant Freya, was accompanied on the organ by compère Michael Wooldridge.

Before the results were announced, last years winner Decan Poole played for the last time wearing the YTOY Chain of Office.

Freya Vicarey receives the Christie Cup from ATOS Chairman Nick Ashton.

  The Dean Herrick Memorial Award was presented to Lucy Crouch.

The 2016 ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition 2016 Prizewinners, left to right: 2nd Dominic Standing, winner Lewis Scott and 3rd Lucy Crouch.

The UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year 2016 Lewis Scott.

 YTOY 2016 winner Lewis Scott chats to John Ledwon after receiving his award.

A full competition report may be viewed here. 

Finally, an insight into what goes on behind the scenes to make a pipe organ concert sound good.  Apologies for the less than perfect photo, but here we see Len Rawle in the chambers at the Astoria Centre, Barnsley before YTOY began tuning the individual pipes, assisted by Kevin Grunill who used an app on his smartphone to remotely control the organ.  A great example of modern technology assisting traditional equipment.