Dame Shirley Bassey presents the RWCMD Brooch for Harp Excellence
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The Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize 2025: Celebrating musical excellence at RWCMD
The Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize is awarded annually to the College’s most outstanding instrumentalist or singer.
Congratulations to Opera Performance student Owain Rowlands on winning the prestigious Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize, which this year highlighted the exceptional vocalists studying at the College.
The late Sir Ian Stoutzker championed young musicians across the world through the many projects that he initiated and supported, including in Wales where he had a particularly special relationship with the College. Sadly, Sir Ian passed away in April 2024, but thanks to his generosity we’re delighted that his Prize will continue into the future.
Owain competed alongside fellow finalists Tomos Jones, Charlotte Pawley, and John Liddington. Accompanied by Caradog Williams, each singer presented a 30-minute recital of music of their own choosing for the audience, which included this year’s esteemed panel of judges, Sarah Crabtree, Helena Gaunt, Grant Llewellyn and Catherine Wyn-Roberts.
Prizes like the Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize provide students with opportunities to fund their education and often allow them to continue studying at the College for postgraduate degrees.
Students performed in the Dora Stoutzker Hall, generously donated by Sir Ian in memory of his mother, a piano teacher from Tredegar.
Previous vocal winners of the Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize include soprano Elena Zamudio, tenor Rhodri Jones and baritone Edward Kim.
