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Trinity Musician of the Year 2023
The Trinity Musician of the Year (TMOTY) competition is a highlight of the musical calendar, and this year was no exception, with the crowning of our first classical guitarist, Dominic Holland. Although the competition has developed a huge amount since its inception almost twenty years ago, it continues to teach and inspire the next generation of professional musicians.
Mr Swinson, Director of Music, explains, “The idea originally came from the students. We had introduced sectional competitions for piano, strings, brass, singing, and woodwind, but the students wanted a ‘best of the best’ competition. It was all very good natured, but back then, the number of potential competitors was much smaller than it is now.”
The notable improvement in musical facilities and expansion of the teaching staff have both inspired students to achieve exceptional results and attracted many more talented young musicians to the school. A recent survey found that the school currently has over fifty students who have achieved grade 8 with distinction. In 2004, the school had fewer than ten students playing at grade 8 or above.
Mr Swinson is keen to protect the school’s inclusive philosophy of musical involvement but is mindful that there is also an obligation to provide the very best environment for aspiring professional musicians. “The life of a professional performing musician has always been highly competitive, and the recent pandemic hasn’t made things easier. Yet, those who succeed have also had to learn resilience, marketing savvy, and collaborative skills."
The first incarnations of the competition’s final included all students who had achieved grade 8 with distinction and comprised a solo accompanied by piano. The final is now in two rounds: a recital class for the winners of each sectional category, plus one or two wild card entrants, and a concerto final, in which three competitors play a concerto, or part of one, accompanied by the London Mozart Players.
The educational value of the competition is paramount. Mr Swinson continues, “School music should always feel collaborative: students support each other, and teachers support students. We shouldn’t be frightened of competition but must keep a sense of perspective. Competitions don’t always produce the right result in everyone’s opinion; the adjudicator may make surprising decisions and competitors may not do themselves justice. My hope is that every competitor learns something positive from the experience, and takes this with them after they leave Trinity.”
The prize on offer, in addition to the cup, the accolade and some cash, is a series of performances in Venice, Italy during the following October. This is, in effect, a professional tour and students are coached to manage the challenges and opportunities that a career in music entails.
A steady stream of musicians has left Trinity over the past twenty years and embarked on successful careers in music and, of course, many took part in the competition. An early winner was Jonathan Musgrave, who went on to study piano at The Royal College of Music, and is now much in demand as an accompanist, working at the various music colleges. Another from earlier times, Andrew Samarasekara (violin), has just completed his Masters at The Yale School of Music. More recent winners have included Joe Mackley (saxophone) and Amiri Harewood (piano), both of whom were awarded scholarships at the Royal College of Music.
Dominic, a classical guitarist, was crowned 2023’s Trinity Musician of the Year.
In this year's TMOTY concerto final, Dominic Holland was accompanied by the Trinity Symphony Orchestra and members of the London Mozart Players to perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Guitar, Strings and Continuo. He says, “I am so excited to have won the competition, it is a huge honour; particularly as the musicians at all three stages were extremely talented. The process was intense as the competition was so high. I always play from memory as I find it gives me more freedom to be expressive and enjoy the music, but it was a lot of work to memorise so much material!
"I don't currently have plans to study music beyond Trinity, although I have thought about it. I have been learning the guitar since I was about six and hope that music will always be an important part of my life. I would love to continue with the string quartet I am part of after I leave Trinity and am looking forward to the future."
Mr Reck, Head of Guitar and Dominic’s teacher, said, “Dominic’s dedication to his craft has earned him this well-deserved recognition, making us immensely proud of his remarkable achievement. It is the first time a guitarist has won the competition. He has been an inspiration for all students learning classical guitar at Trinity School.”
