The Peter Chase Award: Helena Smart, violin

The Peter Chase Award gives financial support to talented young musicians in Sowerby Music’s catchment area.

December 2007

I was a fortunate recipient of the Peter Chase Award in 2003, while I was studying for a postgraduate degree in Cologne, Germany. Sowerby Music were not only generous enough to help me in a financial way, but also were very supportive in an advisory role. I found this extremely helpful.

I left Germany in 2006 and settled in London where I am a member of both the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and the London Mozart Players and I regularly perform with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Edinburgh. Playing in a chamber format has always interested me, so performing with these orchestras has been really exciting and challenging.

I also continue to play solo and with pianists including Steve Ridley, having recently performed a recital at St James' Piccadilly, London.

I feel so grateful to have received fantastic support, ideas and council from Sowerby Music, and performing in Sowerby Church was an extremely fulfilling experience for me.