The final of the NABBC Young Conductor of the Year Competition took place at the Chrysalis Theatre, Milton Keynes last weekend.

Support

Supported by Virtuosi England Ltd and its directors Jim and Shawn Pagington the event was opened by Walter Ritchie, the Association’s chairman with Sydney Swancott as compere.

Six competitors took their turn to conduct the Virtuosi GUS Band under the scrutiny of adjudicators Dr Roy Newsome and Lt-Col Chris Davis.

...it was Ben Gernon who was declared the 2009 winner and took home with him the £1,000 top prize4BR

High class

After a long day of high class competition in which the six hopefuls were put to the test on various works and test pieces, it was Ben Gernon who was declared the 2009 winner and took home with him the £1,000 top prize.

Runner up was Jacob Larsen, with James McCaffert in third. The other finalists were Adam Cooke, Simon Jones and Andrew Porter.

Honours

Ben took the honours after conducting amongst other works, 'A Downland Suite' by John Ireland. Ben was also awarded the Roy Newsome Challenge Shield.

For a full report on the event, please go to: http://www.nabbc.org.uk