Young Bristol musicians receive City Waits Awards from Lord Mayor

Bristol Beacon News

Wednesday 1 Mar 2023

Six young musicians were presented with awards and prizes by the Lord Mayor and the Guild of Guardians last week, as part of the City Waits Awards.

The talented young people, aged from 9 to 18, were nominated by Bristol Beacon for their contribution to music in the city and attended the ceremony in The Mansion House in Clifton – the official residence for the Lord Mayor of Bristol. Alongside receiving the award, each of the musicians treated the audience to a short solo performance.

As Bristol’s Music Education Hub, we are proud to have nominated the six young musicians who are exemplary members of our musical ensembles, on behalf of the Guild of Guardians.

In Medieval times Bristol retained the services of four entertainers who performed on civic occasions. By 1540 they were officially known as the “City Waits”, and the name is presumed to come from the ‘wait-pipe’ which was an early form of oboe.

The office of City Waits was revived in 1988 by the Guild of Guardians – a charity that aims to improve the quality of the civic life of Bristol – with the musical history now reflected in these awards.

Many previous recipients of the City Waits Awards have gone on to become professional musicians, using their prize money to buy new instruments and support their musical activity.

A wooden box with five metal medallions — City Waits Award Medallions - Credit: Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Well done to all our award recipients. We wish them well and the Guild of Guardians is pleased to be able to help them in their musical studies.”

William Marshall, Master of the Guild of Guardians

Awards

The Master of the Guild of Guardians, William Marshall and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Paula O’Rourke presented six awards to the young musicians, including a certificate and prize money.

Guild of Guardians Special Award

Four young people received a Special Award certificate and £400 to support their musical activity for their dedication to music in the city.

Blenne Abate, Saxophone – Blenne is currently grade 6 on the saxophone, violin and piano player, and a member of Bristol Beacon Jazz Ambassadors, whilst also playing in her school orchestra and big band. The award will help Blenne by funding her learning and a better mouthpiece to further improve her intonation and sound.

Kitan Peters, Piano – Kitan has recently completed her grade 5 piano exam, and also plays violin and trumpet. Having only recently moved to Bristol in 2022, Kitan is an enthusiastic member of Bristol Beacon String Group, and this award will help her move forward in her musical career and go towards purchasing a new violin.

Manu Roy, Trumpet – Manu has been a member of a number of Bristol Beacon ensembles over the past 5 years and is currently playing with Bristol Beacon Jazz Ambassadors. In 2021 Manu took part in the SMOOSH! Parade in Knowle West with Paraorchestra. This award will help Manu host a number of jazz-focussed events for under 18’s at the SouthBank Club in Bristol.

Rokellan Brobbey, Violin – Rokellan is working towards Grade 7 on his violin and has recently gained a place in Bristol Youth Orchestra. Rokellan also plays Saxophone, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Viola and Flute and skilled in Music Production, creating tracks in various genres. This award will support the cost of music lessons and allow access to more musical opportunities.

City Waits Award

Two young people received the prestigious City Waits award in recognition of their very high standard of musicianship and contribution to music making in Bristol. An example to their peers, they received a City Waits Award certificate, presented with the City Waits Medallion and £1000 to support their musical career.

Ida Hayes, Voice – Ida is a singer and bassoon player, currently principal bassoon for Bristol Youth Orchestra and a member of Bristol Cathedral Consort. Ida has served as an ambassador for Bristol Beacon on tour to France with Bristol Youth Orchestra and Bristol Youth Choir in July 2022 and more as a soloist at our Schools’ Christmas Concert at St George’s Bristol. She has been an asset in proactively informally mentoring younger members of Beacon ensembles. Ida will use this award to support her further studies this year, as she moves on to study voice at university.

Tim Dobinson, Percussion – Tim is the principal percussionist of Bristol Youth Orchestra and won their concerto competition to perform as a soloist with the orchestra in their March concert. In October 2022, Tim also won the Bristol Cathedral Choir School Interhouse Music Competition. A fantastic ambassador for music and Bristol Beacon he is always willing to help out and support his peers. This award will help Tim fund the purchase of new instruments and also his travel and other expenses whilst studying at music at university this year.