Salopian Success at Gregynog Young Musician of the Year Competition

After receiving offers to study at three of the world’s top music institutions, there has been further success for one U6th student in being named as a finalist in a prestigious music competition.

Henry Hui (I) has been announced as the Brass Finalist in the Gregynog Young Musician of the Year, an annual competition and one of the most prestigious of its kind. The competition is usually held at the highly acclaimed Gregynog Hall, but due to the pandemic was this year held online.

Henry also won £500 along with the accolade for his performance on the French Horn.

The competition success follows an influx of offers from prestigious musical institutions, including Royal College of Music, London, Royal Academy of Music, London and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where Henry was offered a place on the spot; an almost unheard of event.

Maria McKenzie, Assistant Director of Music said: “It is an absolutely fantastic accolade for Henry.

“This competition has an international reputation, so for a student from Shrewsbury School to be awarded a finalist place is just exceptional. Past winners of this competition have gone on to be named BBC Young Musician of the year, so it is hard to explain just how big a deal this is for Henry.”

Just one example includes the 2015 winner of the Gregynog Young Musician of the Year award, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who went on to be named the BBC Young Musician in 2016.

Henry joined us from Hong Kong and has made a huge impact to the brass department, to have such quality playing has made the younger musicians really raise their standards.