A moving rendition of Franz Schubert’s ‘Du bist die Ruh’ has seen vocalist Jude Hedges-Robinson take the title of John Lyon’s Musician of the Year.

The Sixth Form baritone delivered a nuanced performance of the romantic work, which moved the competition’s special guest judge Mr Valentin Schiedermair.

The London-based German concert pianist praised Jude for his emotional interpretation of the song, the title of which translates as You are rest and peace.

The competition final on Thursday 7th March, saw 18 works across two categories: Grades 1-4 and Grades 5-8 with each performer having been the winner of a category in the House Music Competition earlier in the term.

In the lower grade category Year 10 pianist Ethan Jayesinghe took the spoils with a performance of Yiruma’s River flows in you, which included improvised elements which impressed Judge Schiedermair.

Judging the competition was clearly a difficult task for Mr Schiedermair, who took time out of his busy international concert schedule to be with us in North West London, providing useful feedback to each performer and also treating the audience to a short impromptu performance at the start of the evening.

The packed Music Hall audience was treated to a total of 12 different instruments across the evening, from bass guitar to bassoon via the drums and dhol. A special mention must go to Year 10 Patrick Colson who performed four times on accordion, clarinet, drums and piano.

But it was Jude’s evening, and he celebrated the title of Musician of the Year by lifting the de Mello Cup, awarded by Mr Joe de Mello, a long-standing supporter and former member of support staff in the Music Department.

The Music department’s busy Spring Term reaches its peak at the big Spring Concert on Thursday 21st March.

Join us for an exciting and varied programme featuring our Brass Ensemble, Flute Choir, Jazz Band, LCO Music Junction Mentors, Percussion Ensemble, Pride of Lyon’s, R&B Group, Rock Band, String Ensemble, Wind Band and Year 7 Choir.