Last night saw Kris Garfitt trombone, win the Gold Medal and first prize of the ROSL Annual Music Competition and prizemoney of £20,000. This is the third year a Wind and Brass section winner has gone onto win the top prize. Kris and his fellow competitors, William Thomas bass, Joseph Havlat piano and Roberto Ruisi violin performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in front an esteemed industry panel of adjudicators, led by Professor Gavin Henderson CBE.
“I am thrilled for Kris and his success in the ROSL Annual Music Competition this year. He is an exceptional trombonist who instantly captured the audience’s imagination with his warm sound, exceptional technique and a clear musical voice. We look forward to supporting and following his career”. Geoff Parkin / ROSL Artistic Director
- New ROSL Chairman Alexander Downer AC presented trombonist Kris Garfitt with the coveted Gold Medal at last night’s Royal Over-Seas League’s Annual Music Competition Gold Medal Final, held this year at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank
- The hotly contested competition saw Jonathan compete against bass William Thomas, pianist Joseph Havlat and violinist Roberto Ruisi in an event which showcased the talents of the brightest young musicians from across the Commonwealth
- Kris’s programme ranged from the lyricism of Weber’s Romance for Trombone and Piano to the theatrical and bold Basta for solo trombone by Folke Rabe
- Kris is a member of the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and has already won major trombone competitions in Budapest and Vilnius
- As the panel made its decision, the audience was treated to performances from ensemble winners the Mithras Trio and The Hermes Experiment, who both won substantial awards this year.
- For 67 years the ROSL Annual Music Competition has helped launch the careers of young musicians from all over the UK and the Commonwealth, offering awards totalling £75,000 and expert mentoring and support
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The 2019 ROSL Annual Music Competition Gold Medallist and First prize winner is:
Kris Garfitt, trombone
Other Finalists of the 2019 Gold Medal prize were:
Roberto Ruisi, violin
William Thomas, bass
Joseph Havlat, piano
2019 Panel of Adjudicators:
Gavin Henderson CBE (Chairman) Principal, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Geoff Parkin Artistic Director of ROSL
Cheryl Frances-Hoad composer
Andrew Comben CEO at Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival
Emma Sweetland Director, Sulivan Sweetland artist management
Peter Manning Artistic Director and Conductor of Manning Camerata and Music Director of the Mozart Kinderorchester
Ailish Tynan soprano
Jenny Chadwick Director of Concerts at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Carole Presland Pianist
Amos Miller Trombonist