14-year-old Poppy Wood from RGS Dodderhill has been awarded the title ‘Outstanding Instrumentalist’ in the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival 2020. 

Each year around one thousand musicians, actors and speakers ranging from primary school age children through to adults enter Worcester Competitive Arts Festival. Through the Festival entrants have an opportunity to showcase their talent to the judges and audiences and compete for prizes within their specialist area.  This year is the first year the Severn Arts Outstanding Instrumentalist Award has been part of the competition. 

Although Worcester Competitive Arts Festival took place in March 2020 Coronavirus has meant that Festival award announcements and presentations were put back until now. Poppy Wood, who plays the violin and is part of Worcestershire Youth Orchestra and Worcestershire Youth String Orchestra run by Severn Arts, received her certificate and the Severn Arts Outstanding Instrumentalist award and certificate from Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts CEO and Rosemary Hopkins, Worcester Competitive Arts Festival in a presentation on Friday last week. 

Rosemary Hopkins, Worcester Competitive Arts Festival said: “The Festival would like to thank Severn Arts for their support and generosity in donating this award.  We look forward to our continued partnership in 2021. Poppy gave an outstanding performance and the Festival is delighted she was awarded this prestigious prize.” 

Poppy Wood said: “I’m delighted to receive the first ever Severn Arts Outstanding Instrumentalist award. It was a lovely surprise and I feel very honoured and privileged to have been awarded this. I love being part of WYSO and WYO and can’t wait to be able to play alongside my friends again.” 

Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts CEO said: “We are delighted to support young musicians with this prize and proud to be presenting the first award to one of our own students. Poppy is so talented, and we look forward to seeing how her skills develop in the future and to welcoming her back to perform with our orchestras very soon”.  

For information about all of this year’s Worcester Competitive Arts Festival award winners see https://www.wcaf.org.uk/prizes