Local musicians shortlisted for prestigious award

Both have been invited to perform in the Great Hall of Queen’s University, Belfast at a grand final on Saturday April 21 in front of a distinguished jury who will choose the national winner.

The Award, created in memory of Catherine Judge, an employee of Bank of Ireland who passed away in August 2005, aims to support a new generation of musical talent and is presented annually to an exceptional solo classical musician who wishes to pursue third-level music education. The winner receives a bursary of £5,000 towards these studies.

Richard Allen, a classical harpist from Lisburn and last year’s winner commented: “The Catherine Judge Award has been a great experience and I would recommend any young musician to apply. I loved every minute of it, from playing for a panel of some of Ireland’s leading professional musicians to playing in such an incredible acoustic as the Great Hall in Queen’s University. It was extremely rewarding on both a musical and an educational level.”