Ashley Garfitt, from Mount St Mary’s College, has been handed the prestigious title, which is given annually to a male and a female who have exceptional performing skills and have committed to various ensembles in the Sheffield Music Service.
He will receive the honour at a concert in High Bradfield on June 29 at St Nicholas Church where he will perform a short recital and receive a £100 cheque and a signed certificate from Julian Lloyd Webber.
Ashley said: “I love music and Mount St Marys has helped me develop my skills as a musician. I am thrilled to receive such a prestigious award.”
The year 13 pupil from Beighton, who is a music scholar at the college, was also recently presented with the annual ‘excellence in music’ award at the school following his impressive performance of Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet.
Lucy Kitchener, Director of Music at Mount St. Mary’s, said: “Ashley is really hard working, loves performing and plays music at every opportunity. He’s on course to be the first pupil awarded a performance diploma, the highest level any student at the college has ever achieved.
“He is an extremely talented young man and everyone at the Mount is very proud that he has been recognised by the Sheffield Music Service.”
The 18 year-old began playing the clarinet, saxophone and piano at primary school and is principal clarinettist of the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra (CSYO), which is one of the country’s most successful youth orchestras.
Musical talent runs in the Garfitt family as brother Kris also won a music scholarship to study at Mount St Mary’s.
Kris, 19, has gone on to be a music scholar at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which is one of the top conservatoires in the country.