We are thrilled that a couple of our Rye Wurlitzer Academy (RWA) students have won trophies at the UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition held at the Astoria Centre in Barnsley.
 
Freya Vicarey, who has only been playing the theatre organ for a year and was the youngest entrant, overcame her nerves to give a strong performance, which the judges rewarded with the Christie Cup, an award for the entrant they feel shows the greatest future potential.
Lucy Crouch, who was placed third in the contest, also received the Dean Herrick Memorial Award for the entrant from the previous year’s contest who has been the most active in spreading the word about theatre organs, no doubt much helped in this through the opportunities she receives here at Rye College as a member of our RWA, which in the last year have included a trip to play on the waves aboard the MV Balmoral and concert appearances in Bognor Regis and Portslade.
 
Our congratulations to both of them.