RCM claims Ferrier prizes

Monday 27 April 2015

Royal College of Music performers have enjoyed a clean sweep at this year’s Kathleen Ferrier Awards.

Soprano Gemma Lois Summerfield, currently studying at the RCM with Rosa Mannion and Simon Lepper, was named winner of both the prestigious competition’s First Prize and Song Prize. In the Final, which took place on Friday 24 April at London’s Wigmore Hall, Gemma gave an outstanding performance of songs by Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Duparc and Copland as well as an aria from Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, accompanied by RCM alumnus Sebastian Wybrew.

Recent RCM graduate soprano Soraya Mafi, taught by Janis Kelly, won the competition’s Second Prize, whilst the Accompanist’s Award went to her performance partner Ian Tindale, a recent RCM Junior Fellow. In addition, RCM counter tenor Tim Morgan, currently studying at the RCM with Timothy Evans-Jones, was presented with the Junior Ferrier Prize Bursary he won earlier this year.

The Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship Fund’s Annual Competition offers the chance for young professional singers to compete for glittering cash prizes and instant international recognition. The First Prize of £12,500, Second Prize of £6,000 and Song Prize of £5,000 are sponsored in perpetuity by Mark & Liza Loveday, and the Accompanist's Award is provided by the Help Musicians UK in memory of Arthur & Gwyneth Harrison.

Gemma Lois Summerfield recently performed in an RCM Vocal Masterclass with Sarah Connolly, available to watch on the RCM’s YouTube channel.