Bentwood School’s International Music Competition Creates Life-Changing Opportunities
Since Brentwood School’s inaugural International Music Competition held its grand final in May, two exceptionally talented young musicians have been awarded full boarding scholarships and joined the School this September. The competition, launched in 2024, attracted entries from across the globe and brought together some of the most promising young instrumentalists to perform before a distinguished panel of adjudicators. Designed not only to showcase outstanding musical ability but also to provide life-changing opportunities for gifted students, the competition is now set to become an annual highlight in the School’s, already thriving, Performing Arts Calendar.
Kate, who joins us in Year 10, was awarded second place on the evening of the competition and has since gone on to be crowned the Grand Prize Winner. Beginning her musical career as a violinist at the age of 3, and later adding the piano at just 5 years old, Kate has already won top prizes for performances at festivals in Hong Kong, Ealing and North London. She was also a member of the Junior Music Programme at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and is currently a student at the Junior Guildhall. Kate aspires to become a professional concert violinist and hopes her initiation onto Brentwood’s Specialist Music Programme will help her achieve this dream.
The second finalist to join Brentwood this September is Gabriela, 16, from Bolivia. Awarded a full boarding bursary not only for her exceptional musical talent, but also for her strong academic performance, Gabriela has entered the Sixth Form to study the International Baccalaureate while also joining the Specialist Music Programme. Gabriela began taking violin lessons at the age of 9 and enrolled in a Suzuki Music School a year later. Aged 12, she gained entry to IFA Bellas Artes, a specialist performance school, where she became the Principal Second Violinist of the Youth Orchestra and participated in the 40th International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music. She later joined the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santa Cruz as a Junior Musician and became a permanent member aged 16.
Brentwood School is proud to welcome Kate and Gabriela to its Specialist Music Programme, where they will not only grow as musicians but also contribute to the thriving Boarding community and represent the School as Bursary Ambassadors. Their journeys are a testament to the transformative opportunities the International Music Competition provides for young talent worldwide.
