Grange Academy pupil wins international prize for music
An S5 pupil from Grange Academy, has won the prestigious European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY) prize at the Concours International de piano d'Orléans – Juniors “Brin d’herbe”.
Ethan, who is just 16 years old and attends the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, travelled to Orleans in France during the Easter break to compete in the international piano competition, which encourages young pianists to explore contemporary and modern music.
The competition takes place every two years and is judged by musicians of international calibre. This year the judges were Sodi Braide – a pianist and conductor, Toros Can – a pianist and Miharu Ogura – a pianist and conductor.
Competing against 26 children and young people from across the world, including Shanghai and Moscow, Ethan played four pieces including Peter Cooper’s Obsession: Intrusive Thought (2022, révision 2023), György Ligeti’s Etudes : Etude 18 - Canon (1994) and John Cage’s And the Earth Shall Bear Again (1948).
Ethan said: “It was an honour to win the prestigious EMCY Prize at the Concours international de piano d'Orléans – Juniors “Brin d’herbe”. This exclusive award is given to only one candidate across all levels and opens the door to exciting opportunities, including concerts (solo and with orchestra), tours, workshops, and masterclasses. It was an incredible experience to compete against young people from across the world and one that I will never forget.”
Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People said: "I was delighted to meet with Ethan recently and congratulate him on winning such a prestigious award. He is exceptionally talented but also very humble, it took a few days after the Easter holidays and a bit of prompting before his teachers found out he had won. A huge well done to Ethan, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”