Congratulations to flautist Katie Bartels on winning the College’s prestigious Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize, which this year highlights the exceptional instrumentalists studying at the College.
The £10,000 Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize is awarded annually, as Sir Ian himself said, ‘to the Royal Welsh College student with outstanding talent and potential’.
Sir Ian Stoutzker, who sadly passed away earlier this year, created the prize in 2012. The concert takes place in the Dora Stoutzker Hall, which Sir Ian generously donated to the College, named for his mother.
‘The Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize is the gold medal in music at RWCMD and is eagerly anticipated by music students who dedicate hours in their preparation to compete,’ said RWCMD Director of Music Tim Rhys-Evans.
‘The importance of prizes like this cannot be overstated, providing students with opportunities to fund their education, and to bridge the gap between high level study and professional profile. This year’s prize is tinged with sadness as we remember Ian, a dear and passionate friend of the College, in the intimate beauty of Dora Stoutzker Hall.’
Katie, accompanied Catherine Milledge, competed alongside fellow finalists, guitarist Luke Bartlett, clarinettist Meg Davies and cellist Rhys Herbert, who all presented a 30-minute recital of music of their choosing for the audience.
‘I am overwhelmed at the honour of winning the Stoutzker Prize this year, especially as we remember the amazing person that Sir Ian Stoutzker was,’ said Katie.
‘His passion for music and the arts, and his generosity towards the Royal Welsh College helps to continue to celebrate and support us as young musicians and encourage us in our musical journeys.
I am so grateful for all the support I have had this year at RWCMD, particularly from my flute teachers and heads of department. They have been so encouraging and I am looking forward to learning more from them next year as I finish my final year of masters. Winning this is such a blessing as I will be able to pay my fees next year, and I might even get a piccolo too!’
This year’s panel of judges included Robert Ault (clarinet) Ben Davies (cello), Fiona Fulton (flute) Xuefei Yang (guitar), with Tom Redmond chairing the panel (Joint Principal of Chetham’s School of Music).
‘It was a huge honour to be part of the panel for this year’s Sir Ian Stoutzker prize,’ said Tom Redmond.
‘All four finalists should be commended for their outstanding performances and programming; it was great to hear such varied music played with such imagination and integrity. Katie Bartels’ performance grabbed us from the outset and showed such vivid musical communication throughout.’
Previous winners of the Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize include baritone Edward Kim, soprano Elena Zamudio, tenor Rhodri Jones, and flautist Isabelle Harris.
Editors notes
In Memory of Sir Ian Stoutzker CBE:
1929-2024
‘Sir Ian Stoutzker was an extraordinary man,’ said Helena Gaunt, RWCMD Principal. ‘Always a gifted musician, he could have pursued a successful career in the arts but, as result of choosing to work in merchant banking, his love of music was expressed through generous philanthropy and taking up governance roles for music organisations and conservatoires at home and internationally. Through his close friendship with the world-leading violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Ian became passionate about inclusivity and access to the arts, a passion which resulted in their co-founding of Live Music Now – a charity which enables young, professional musicians to perform to those who would be unable to experience live performance otherwise.
Having grown up in Tredegar, South Wales, Ian’s love of Wales never left him and he treasured his support of, and connection with the Aloud Charity, the Tredegar Town Band and the Royal Welsh College.
Here at RWCMD, Ian’s philanthropy and the impact it has had is immediately visible through the creation of the beautiful concert hall that bears the name of his beloved mother, Dora Stoutzker, a piano teacher who first ignited his love of music. It is in this Hall that many of our string players benefitted from the guidance of internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Rashkovsky; an awe-inspiring experience which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Sir Ian. Most notably, each year since its opening, the Dora Stoutzker Hall, packed full of supportive students, teachers, staff and a public audience, has been home to the Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize, the institution’s gold medal’ for music, awarded to the College’s finest musicians and singers.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama will be forever grateful to Sir Ian for his passion, loyalty, and support.’
The Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize 2024 finalists
Katie Bartels, flute accompanied by Catherine Milledge
Luke Bartlett, guitar (no accompanist)
Meg Davies, clarinet accompanied by Catherine Milledge
Rhys Herbert, cello accompanied by Rebeccah Selley