King’s Rochester singer Laura wins Woodard Young Musician of the Year Competition 2020

King’s Rochester pupil Laura West was celebrating over the weekend after being named the winner of the Woodard Schools' Young Musician Competition 2020 on Friday 29th May 2020.

Laura, 17, from Rochester, Kent performed Wolf's Das Verlassene Mägdlein and Novello's Waltz of My Heart, pre-recorded in the King’s School Hall earlier this year.

Instead of the planned live final at Birmingham Conservatoire, the final was judged remotely with video recordings of the candidates, with a very high standard across the board. The presentation was made via Zoom, with the winning entries played for all to enjoy.

John Mountford, Director of Music at King’s Rochester said, “I am delighted for Laura, the judges praised her for her captivating communication skills, choice of repertoire and musicality. The competition is held every other year, so this success is an extra special honour for Laura and for King’s.”

Laura’s classmates Carolina Ferreira and Isla Morgan also made it to the final of the Senior and Junior categories of the competition respectively.