The Peter Chase Award: Stephanie Libby

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

• I started learning the flute at school at the age of 7, playing my Grandpa’s flute.
• I passed grade 8 with distinction on my flute in summer 2006 and was awarded the Derek Henderson Memorial Prize in 2004 and 2005 (ABRSM).
• Since I was 10 I have been learning the piano and passed grade 7 with distinction in Spring 2007.
• I joined Northallerton Music Centre at age 8 and gradually worked my way up through the ensembles. I now play in the symphony orchestra and the chamber ensemble. I had the exciting experience of playing in the Gala Concert at The Sage this year.
• I was the lead flute and piccolo player this year in the North Yorkshire Schools' Wind Band (financial assistance from Hambleton District Council) and have been a member for the last two years.
• Since starting secondary school 5 years ago I have been in the Stokesley School flute choir . This year I helped to form the school folk group and also a smaller folk group called “Stramash”.
• This year I have started to gain some competitive experience at local festivals and enjoyed success at Middlesbrough, Harrogate and Wensleydale Festivals gaining first or second placings and the Diana Hartley Trophy, the Madge Stephenson Challenge Cup, the Weston Trophy and a music stand for promising musicianship.
• Thank you Sowerby Music for awarding me The Peter Chase Award. It will help to support me at Yorkshire Young Musicians, Leeds, which I will start attending from September this year. I am really looking forward to the new opportunities and experiences on offer, and taking my flute and piano playing to higher levels of skill, musicianship and enjoyment for both myself and my audience.