Wednesday 15th July saw the annual performance by the Wolverhampton Music Service Jazz Big Band, Youth and Youth Wind orchestras at the Wulfrun Hall. A packed audience was thrilled by the amazing talent shown by all the young musicians. The concerts run for the whole week under the title ‘Summer Sounds,’ involving students from 55 schools.

Every year at this event, Rotary in Wolverhampton presents the Fraser Dukes Award to the student gaining the highest marks in the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) examination.

The award, created to honour the memory of Past District Governor Fraser Dukes, an enthusiastic supporter of young musicians, was won this year by 18 year old Grace Carden who achieved a merit in her grade 6 flute examination, obtaining 80 marks out of a possible 100.

The award was presented by Sally Woods, President of the Rotary Club of The City of Wolverhampton.

Speaking after the award, Ciaran O’Donnell said “Grace is one of those students who works hard and is extremely committed. She has never missed a single lesson in her many years of study with her flute teacher, Mrs. Fletcher. She is a worthy recipient of the award, not just in the achievement, but in demonstrating the values that Fraser clearly embodied in his own work.”

Shown in the photograph left to right: Phil Leivers, Deputy Director of Education, City of Wolverhampton Council, Sally Woods, Grace Carden, Rotarian Don Lovejoy, District Governor, Rotary International District 1210.
PDG Richard Green