Two musicians have been crowned King’s Ely’s 2024 Instrumentalists of the Year.

Lauren Booth and Julian Mak battled it out with students in years 9 to 13 in a series of heats, all vying for a place at the school’s annual Instrumental Festival Finalists’ Concert. 

Andrew Reid, director of Music at Little St Mary’s Church, Cambridge and former director of the Royal School of Church Music, announced the winners following strong performances. 

Year 10 violinist, Julian Mak, was crowned King’s Ely’s Years 9 to 11 Instrumentalist of the Year after a performance of ‘Nigun from 3 pictures of Chassidic life’ by Ernest Bloch.

Flautist, Lauren Booth, who is in Year 13, won the title of King’s Ely Sixth Form Instrumentalist of the Year after she performed ‘Sonata in D Op.94, 1st Movement’ by Sergei Prokofiev.

Neil Porter-Thaw, director of Music at King’s Ely, said: “This year’s finalists’ concert was an incredible show of talent. Twelve individual performances were heard, as well as a piano trio and a cello duet.

"Mr Reid was completely taken aback by the quality and maturity of each performance, and he had a very difficult task of choosing a winner.

"Congratulations of course to Lauren and Julian, but well done to every single student who took part in the competition – you are all winners!”

Students highly commended in the competition were: Hugh Chippington (trombone), Ian Mak (piano), Gabriella Wu (drum kit), Alex Sturman (drum kit), James Allen (piano), James Allen (cello), Anna Ost (cello), Polly Casey (recorder), Danny Kim (saxophone), Harry Walker (trombone), Robert Reed (piano), Matthew Allen (violin), Dick Cheng (piano), and Thomas Strudwick (piano).

King’s Ely’s Senior Vocal Festival Finalists’ Concert is taking place in the Cathedral on Monday, March 11 at 7pm. 

For tickets or more information, you can visit the King's Ely box office.