Lewis Chinn wins Trinity Laban’s Gold Medal Competition and Audience Prize 2023

Thu 2 February 2023

A huge congratulations to Lewis Chinn, who wowed adjudicators and audience members alike with his magnificent tuba performance at last night’s Gold Medal Showcase 2023. Lewis is currently in the final year of his BMus (Hons) in the Wind, Brass and Percussion Department, studying Tuba with Les Neish.

Lewis Chinn wins the Trinity Laban Gold Medal and Audience Prize 2023. Photo: John Hunter

The adjudicators, Chief Executive of innovative charity Sound and Music Susanna Eastburn MBE and renowned jazz trombonist, writer and producer Winston Rollins, chaired by TL’s Director of Music Dr Aleksander Szram, commented on Lewis’s impressive technical abilities whilst bringing enormous amounts of joy and exuberance to his playing.

Left to right: Dr. Aleksander Szram, Lewis Chinn, Winston Rollins, Susanna Eastburn MBE at the presentation of the Gold Medal and Audience Prize 2023. Photo: John Hunter

Aleks Szram said on behalf of the panel:

“This was a spectacular evening, with all finalists showing, with their captivating performances, the many different types of excellence that emerge from our institution. This variety of artistry is what we stand for, and long may it continue.”

“Lewis – you made us want to dance! We were impressed not just by your incredible control of the instrument, but also by your sense of enjoyment which was infectious. You are an extraordinary musician and a tuba revelation.”

All of our talented finalists Reuben Browne, Lewis Chinn, Nathen Durasamy, Rebecka Edlund, Harold Gordon-Smith, Kyle Hutchings and Juliet Wallace performed spectacularly and delighted everyone with an eclectic mix of musical theatre, experimental jazz, classical and contemporary music.

Thanks go to our adjudication panel, to the Artistic Director of Gold Medal 2023 and host Dominic Murcott, to Ben Leigh-Grosart for his accompanying films to introduce each performer; to Principal Anthony Bowne for his inspiring introduction and welcome, and to all the staff who helped make the event a success.