The final of the Coach House Pianos, School Piano Competition, took place at Bromsgrove School on Sunday 5th March. The winner of the final was Michael Tao from St Paul’s School in London. Michael began his performance with Bach, followed by Chopin and Scriabin before returning to Chopin, with the beautiful Ballade Op.52 No.4. In taking first prize, Michael wins a new upright piano for his school, a public recital at Coach House Pianos London, and a cash prize.
Along with St Paul’s, the other schools represented in the final were Shrewsbury School, St Swithun’s School Winchester, Oakham School, and Eton College. All students performed a 30 minute recital on the wonderful Bösendorfer 280VC concert grand piano that the school purchased from Coach House Pianos in 2018. The standard of performances and level of skill was of the highest calibre. It was certainly not an easy task for the Jury to select the winner.
Prior to the afternoon recitals, all students received a one hour masterclass with one of the Competition Jury. This consisted of Professor John Thwaites - Head of Keyboard Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Yulia Chaplina – concert pianist, teacher and writer, Alasdair Beatson – concert pianist, accompanist and teacher, and Janine Parsons – Head of Keyboard Studies at Bromsgrove School.
In addition to the finalists having the opportunity to have a masterclass and perform a recital, there was also a chance during the day to showcase the piano skills and talent of a very promising young student from Bromsgrove School.
The Coach House Pianos, School Piano Competition is a biennial event that is open to any state or independent secondary school in the UK. The next edition of the Competition will be launched in September 2024, with the final in March 2025.
The aim of the competition is to give students a positive and inspirational challenge, and to provide them with the type of experience they can expect in a music college environment. It is also an opportunity for participating students to be a representative of their school and musical role model to their peers.
Coach House Pianos is very grateful to Michael Punt, Headmaster, and James McKelvey, Director of Music, for hosting this years’ final at Bromsgrove School. We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, Yamaha Music Europe Gmbh, and Musiq Group for their support and generous donation of prizes.
‘What you do with the Competition is just perfect’
- John Thwaites
‘Congratulations on a superb, meaningful and valuable competition’
- Alasdair Beatson
‘The whole day was a very positive experience for our daughter, and we’d like to thank everyone involved, most particularly Coach House Pianos for setting up such a successful competition’
- Parent of one of the competitors
‘The Coach House Pianos competition is certainly one of the best events we have ever been to. It is very well-organised, and you have made all the candidates feel at home and perform to their best capabilities on their special moment’
- Parent of one of the competitors
