After the final performance of The Yeomen of the Guard on 8 July, we announced the first recipient of The Grange Festival Prize for outstanding young talent.

Since my time as Artistic Director of The Grange Festival, we have held two international singing competitions. We have been able to offer performance opportunities to all the winners as well as substantial prize money.

I have refined my thoughts about how to recognize and reward young talent and potential and have come to the conclusion that a more considered and meaningful approach is through observation and reaction over a long period of intense work – in other words during the full period of rehearsal and performance of our festival. This gives a more comprehensive and informative insight into the whole range of attributes which are likely to enable a young artist to sustain a successful and recognized professional career.

We look for talent, application, hard work, communication, a constant desire to learn and improve, and the ability to work with others, however challenging. All of these are necessary for a performer to be a success. Music demands them. A single appearance at a competition final doesn’t necessarily inform you so deeply.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to Isabel who has worked tirelessly as a member of the Festival Chorus, performing in both Macbeth and The Yeomen of The Guard.

We all look forward to seeing where she takes her career.