Tuba star Ross Knight recently claimed the tuba prize at the prestigious Aeolus Competition for Wind Instrument's in Dusseldorf in Germany.

Regarded as one of the foremost events of its kind in the orchestral brass world, the Scotsman also went on to claim second place and 7000 Euro in the overall 'Prize Winner Concert' final, performing Eugene Bozza's 'Concertino for Tuba' from memory alongside the Dusseldorfer Symphoniker.

Tuba prize

The Yamaha Performance Artist beat off 18 world class challengers to claim the tuba prize after three exhaustive rounds of the 14th edition of the competition, before showcasing his playing against the winners of the other major orchestral brass categories.

The international panel of judges led by Chair, Ewa Strusinka included the likes of Patrick Harrild, Jonas Byland, Jens Bjoorn-Larsen, Frits Damrow, Pasi Pirinen, Mike Svoboda and Raimund Wippermann.

The winner was Australian Jonathon Ramsay, principal trombone of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, with Polish trumpeter Lennard Czakaj in third. Philippe Schwarz, principal trombonist at the Stadttheater Giesen won the Prize for the Best Contemporary Interpretation.

Over the moon

Speaking exclusively to 4BR Ross said: "The competition is regarded very highly and attracts competitors from around the world to perform for a jury of incredible musicians

I'm over the moon to have won the tuba prize and to come runner-up against some remarkable players. To even be in the final of this prestigious competition was incredibly exciting."

Pushed boundaries

He added: "I've pushed myself to boundaries I didn't know I have, as well as learning a lot of repertoire in a short space of time, including the Bozza 'Concertino' for the final by memory.

It was an absolute delight to be up on stage in front of the Dusseldorfer Symphoniker too. I couldn't stop smiling when I came off stage!"

I'm over the moon to have won the tuba prize and to come runner-up against some remarkable players. To even be in the final of this prestigious competition was incredibly excitingRoss Knight

Back to work

Ross now returns to his day job at the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, where he has just started his fourth season.

He added: "From this competition I will have the opportunity to perform more regularly as a soloist and will have some exciting concerts coming up over the next few years.

That's very exciting for me, and one of the main reasons I entered this competition as I love performing as a soloist."