Matilda Lloyd was crowned the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner at the BBC Philharmonic Hall at Media City in Salford on Friday evening.
Trio of firsts
Her performance of the 2nd & 3rd movements of the Hummel 'Trumpet Concerto' enabled her to become the first female winner since Katrina Marzalla in 2004, and the first trumpeter to win the prestigious award.
It was the first time that BBC Radio 2 had broadcast the final of the competition live on air from the BBC Studios in Salford, with the evening hosted by well known presenter Ken Bruce alongside host of 'Listen to the Band', Frank Renton.
Frank also conducted Grimethorpe Colliery, who accompanied each of the soloists with great musical understanding.
Unanimous
The 18 year old's superb performance was more than sufficient for the three judges, Professor Edward Gregson, Catherine Moore and Ian Bousfield to announce to the audience and thousands listening live around the world, that they were unanimous in their decision.
The renowned composer praised the standard of the finalists before endorsing the competition that gives them the opportunity to learn how to perform under pressure.
Complete performer
Later he also gave further insight to 4BR as to why the trumpeter had taken the title:
"Matilda was the most complete performer tonight. Technically, she had everything under control: She communicated with the audience, but also had that extra bit of charisma."
Shocked
Having declared that she didn't expect to win, Matilda told Ken Bruce that she hoped that the contest would now be a stepping stone to a solo career.
And once all the congratulatory photographs and publicity shots were taken care of, she told 4BR just what winning the competition meant to her:
"I'm in a state of shock to be honest and didn't expect to win. It's been the most amazing experience playing with Foden's in the semi-final and Grimethorpe tonight, and the conductors have been very supportive."
Explaining her decision to play the Hummel Concerto, Matilda admitted that whilst she plays cornet in the Junior brass band at the Guildhall School of Music in London, she is a trumpet player at heart and has an eye on studying music once her exams are concluded this summer.
The student from Kent, also took time out to acknowledge that it was Spencer Down, from the Guildhall, who persuaded her to enter the competition in the first place.
Prize
Matilda will now be offered a further broadcast opportunity with a performance at the European Festival of Brass Gala Concert in Perth on Saturday May 3rd, and will also be the featured artist in a future edition of ‘Listen to the Band’.
Strong challenge
In taking the title, Matilda beat off the challenge of Grant Jameson on euphonium, cornet player David Gilson and trombonist, Ryan Watkins.
Ryan, the principal trombone at Brighouse & Rastrick, was the first of the finalists to impress the judges.
The 20 year old delivered an impressive account of Peter Graham's 'Radio City', a work which revived memories of hearing American radio stations from his family home in Ayrshire when he was growing up.
Not to be
American student Grant Jameson, who is studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and is principal euphonium with Tongwynlais Temperance, opted to showcase 'Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair' and the final movement of Karl Jenkins euphonium concerto, 'A Troika? Tidy!'.
Fairey's cornet player David Gilson brought the competition to a close with Ballantine's 'Don't Doubt Him Now' and 'Slavische Fantasy'.
It's been the most amazing experience playing with Foden's in the semi-final and Grimethorpe tonight and the conductors have been very supportive — I'm in a state of shock and didn't expect to winMatilda Lloyd
Grimey entertain
In addition to the competitive element, Grimethorpe top and tailed the evening with their regular concert repertoire of 'Where Eagles Sing', 'Molly on the Shore', music from 'Brassed Off!' and 'Macarthur Park', which ended bang on the pips for the 10.00pm news.
The first two winners of the BBC competition, Katrina Marzella and Brenden Wheeler (who are now married) performed 'Deep Inside the Sacred Temple'.
Listen again
To listen to the final, click on the link below which should be on the bbciplayer for the next seven days:
