Leamington Music Prize goes to young guitarists

The Vickers Bovey Guitar Duo, made up of 22-year-olds Julian Vickers and Daniel Bovey - who have both just completed four years at the Birmingham Conservatoire and are starting at the Royal Academy of Music in London this autumn, will receive £1,000 and their own concert during Leamington Music’s forthcoming winter concert series.

Julian said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Leamington Music Prize. Winning has given us the confidence to advance our pursuit of a professional performing career and it comes at a very important time in our development.”

Now in its sixth year, the prize is supported by the Friends of Leamington Music. Richard Phillips of Leamington Music said: “Previous winners have included singers, pianists, a clarinettist and a piano trio and have come from Bulgaria, China, Russia and Taiwan, as well as Britain.

“The choice of a guitar duo takes Leamington Music in a different and exciting direction and I am looking forward to working with Julian and Daniel and also getting them involved in our education programme.”

Leamington Music’s next concert will see British Baroque group Florilegium - made up of Ashley Solomon on flute and recorder, Bojan Cicic on violin, Reiko Ichise on viola da gamba and Terence Charleston on harpsichord - perform at the Bridge House Theatre in Warwick on Sunday (March 16) at 3pm. After the concert, Ashley will lead a masterclass to recorder players in the Warwickshire County Music Service.

For tickets to the concert, call 776438 or visit www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk