On Saturday, 11th January, the Chrysalis Theatre hosted the Milton Keynes finals of the Rotary Young Musician Competition.
The event brought together twelve exceptional young musicians aged 7 to 16, each demonstrating incredible skill, musicality, and dedication. The standard of performances was exceptionally high, making the adjudication process both challenging and rewarding.
Of the 12 musicians, six performers were chosen to progress to the Rotary District Finals which will take place on Saturday, 8th February, at St Mary’s Church in Hitchin:
- Clementine Orledge (16, vocals), sponsored by Rotary Club of Milton Keynes
- Ophelia Timberlake (9, vocals) sponsored by MK Watling Rotary Club
- Naomi Walker (15, piano) sponsored by Rotary Club of Milton Keynes
- Kianna Lee (14, cello) sponsored by Bletchley Rotary Club
- Lani-Elsa Ikumelo (14, alto saxophone) sponsored by Stony Stratford and Wolverton Rotary Club
- Theodora Colvin (12, clarinet) sponsored by Grand Union Rotary Club
A special thanks to the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Marie Blackburn, for presenting the certificates and trophies, and to the dedicated adjudication panel—Irina Davydova, Alan Childs, Saule Dainiene, Giles Liddiard and Rotarian Gabriele Baldocci—for their thoughtful feedback and encouragement to all participants.
Thanks as well to Rotarian Carole Bailey for being Master of Ceremonies for the evening and keeping the event on track, Callum Bailey for his wonderful photographs of the event as well as Rotarians Chrissie and Mike Baldwin for their excellent refreshments catering.
We are also grateful to the Rotary Club of Milton Keynes (host club), MK Watling Rotary Club, Grand Union, Wolverton and Stony Stratford, and Bletchley for coming together to make this event such a resounding success. Their support, volunteering efforts, and commitment to these young musicians was invaluable and helped create an unforgettable evening.
