As part of our efforts to recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment, and dedication of our students, Sutton Music Trust (SMT) became a Jack Petchey Achievement Award Centre in June 2025. After an exciting nomination process, we are delighted to confirm our next winners!
Across the Spring term, students, parents, tutors, and staff sent in their nominations for the Jack Petchey Achievement Award, which recognises outstanding commitment, dedication, and contribution to the SMT ensembles. Winners of the award are allocated a grant of £300 each to invest back into the ensembles in an area of their choice.
Nominations were collected online and on paper at ensemble rehearsals, thanks to the help of the Sutton Music Trust Youth Forum (SMTYF). We collected 22 nominations, and the winners were chosen at a special meeting of SMTYF. To ensure fairness and transparency, nominations were anonymised.
Congratulations to:
- Tsz Ching (Natalie), member of the Young Musicians Orchestra (YMO)
- Isabelle, member of the Sutton Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO)
- Sophie, member of the Sutton Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO)
- Luke, member of the Young Musicians Orchestra (YMO)
Read below why these students were nominated!
“In the orchestra, the oboe has to tune everyone else, which is quite a daunting thing to do if you’ve never done it before. When Natalie joined YMO, she took it in her stride and showed complete confidence. Even if she makes an error in the music, at least she plays loud and proud and then can hear if she is in the wrong place and can adjust accordingly. She is really blossoming in to leading the wind section and I can’t wait to see her progression in the years to come.”
Nominated by Richard Lines-Davies (Conductor, YMO)
“Isabelle and Sophie have been invaluable helpers at both the Young Musicians String Group (YMSG) and Young Musicians Training Orchestra (YMTO). They have attended regularly and reliably and been excellent role models for the younger students, not only giving useful, tactful help to those younger than themselves but also with day-to-day setting and clearing up and with admin such as taking registers. Showing much common sense, they are pro-actively helpful – although always open to taking guidance over how to better help ensemble members, they have a remarkable ability to be self-sufficient and just get on with the job of helping both staff and students.”
Nominated by David Brooker (Conductor, YMTO) and Phil Aslangul (Conductor, YMSG)
Isabelle and Sophie each receive a grant of £300.00 to invest back into the SMT ensembles.
“Luke is a dedicated and valued member of the SMT community. Together with being a committed player at YMO, Luke has attended several High Ashurst residential trips. For the past two years, Luke has shown exceptional leadership skills, mentoring and supporting younger percussion players to step out of their comfort zone and do their best in ensemble playing. As a result of Luke’s direction, the younger players shone. Luke embodies many of the values of the Jack Petchey Award – he is a proactive team player.”
Nominated by Andy Bragg, Maddie Wood, and Claire Cossins (SMT Team)
These awards were presented at our recent Spring Concert Week.
Congratulations to all students!
Keep an eye on our website, our social media, and email notifications when the next round of nominations opens for the Summer Term, where we will select two winners.
