Last night saw the final clubhouse-based concert of this year's Annual Music Competition, in which the most outstanding overseas musicians from the previous weeks' Section Finals were invited back to compete for the Overseas Award. 

Three exceptional musicians; Australian pianist Kathy Chow, New Zealand baritone Benson Wilson, and Australian pianist Joseph Havlat, already winner of the Keyboard Section Final, each returned to the Princess Alexandra Hall stage with a new programme to wow the audience and judging panel.

First up, Joseph Havlat took the audience through works by Janáček, Dohnányi, Debussy and Grainger. 

Next up, Benson Wilson chose to perform Howells, R. Strauss, Ravel, and Verdi, mastering four languages in the process! He was accompanied by pianist Bradley Wood.

The final performance came from Kathy Chow, whose programme of Debussy and Chopin ended the night on a high!

Such was the level of talent on display that all the musicians walked away with a prize. The £1,000 Tait Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding New Zealand Musician went to Benson, the £1,000 ROSL Award for an Outstanding Australian Musician went to Joseph, and the £1,000 Phillip Crawshaw Memorial Prize for an Outstanding Musician from Overseas. But the overall prize for the evening, the £3,000 Lorna Viol Memorial Prize and ROSL Trophy for the most Outstanding Musician from Overseas went to Benson. Congratulations to all three!

Benson will also receive a one-of-a-kind ceramic trophy, crafted by a graduating student of the Royal College of Art, when he attends the AMC Gold Medal Final on 30 May. See some examples of the sculptures handed out in previous years here, and book your tickets for the Final here.

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