18 In Trinity Magazine Music
Steinway Scholar Music
The annual Trinity-Steinway Scholarship is a unique collaboration between Trinity, Steinway & Sons and the Royal College of Music (RCM), supporting talented young pianists. Every year, students are invited to audition, and the finals are held at the RCM where a new scholar is selected by Professor Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard. For one year, scholars take lessons with Professor Latarche, attend masterclasses in Poland, perform during the Trinity Piano Festival, tour Venice performing in various respected venues and present a final recital at the Steinway Hall in London.
This year, the recipient of the prestigious award is Third Year student Ben Abraham who, at 13, is one of the youngest winners of the prize. In the final auditions, Professor Latarche was impressed by Ben’s brilliant technical display and musical conviction. Mr Evans, Head of Piano, said, “Ben is an exciting prospect indeed and we very much look forward to watching his playing develop over the coming years.” Ben comes from a musical family and started playing the piano when he was five years old. His mother was his first teacher and provided the encouragement and discipline required to practise at the beginning. However, music had soon become such a big part of his life, that
Ben continued to play and develop his skills, also taking up the trombone and organ. Ben says, “Music is a way of life for me, I listen to it while studying, on the way to school, I feel it in me all the time. Coming to Trinity has really helped me develop. The Music Department is spectacular and has given me a huge amount of confidence, as the teachers all treat the students like professionals. “I am excited for the Steinway Scholarship: I know it will require a lot of dedication, but it will give me the opportunity to mature and become more sophisticated in my approach. It’s the next big step for me as a musician.”