Recently established by renowned concert pianist and writer Susan Tomes (KC 1972), the Susan Tomes Prize for Music aims to recognise the positive impact that all forms of music have on the King’s community. Nominations were invited from Fellows, staff and students who had been moved by a moment of music making by a student of the College.
The winners of the first Susan Tomes Prize are graduate student Spencer Lee Boya and undergraduates Kenzie Robertson, Adam Howell and Mahalia Nesbeth Bain. The awards were conferred by the Director of Studies in Music Professor Nick Marston and the winners received a cash prize and a copy of Susan’s latest book.
Spencer (MSt in Entrepreneurship) was nominated for his masterful conducting of the King’s Symphony Orchestra and at the KCMS Lent term concert. Percussionist Kenzie (First Year, Music) was nominated for taking part in so many performances at King’s and within the University, and always being ready to help and explain musical concepts to others. Adam (Second Year, Music) and Mahalia (Second Year, Theology) were jointly nominated for their performance at the 'Take it to the Bridge' band competition final.
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Susan Tomes was the first woman to read music at King’s, arriving in 1972 as part of the first cohort of female undergraduates. She is one of the UK’s most renowned concert pianists and the author of seven books. Her most recent, 'Women and the Piano – a History in Fifty Lives', goes hand-in-hand with her performances of music by female pianist-composers who have historically been neglected.
