Royal Academy of Music Orchestral Concert
1927
conducted by
Sir Henry Wood
Royal Academy of Music
Guirne Creith entered the Royal Academy of Music in the winter term of 1923 - at the age of 16 - and continued her studies there until 1929. At that time she studied Composition with Professor Dale, Viola with Professor Lockyer and Piano with Professor Swinstead.
Prize-winning student
In September 1924, she was the recipient of the Josephine Troup Scholarship for Composition, the benefits of which continued until July 1926.
In 1926, she won the Academy’s Commendation for Viola, and the Academy’s Bronze Medal on the Conductor’s Course
In 1929, she won the Philip Leslie Agnew Composition Prize. Also in 1929, at the age of 22, she won the Profumo Prize for Composition, sponsored by Baron Profumo (father of late John Profumo MP).
Also in 1929 at the age of 22, she won the Ernst von Dohnanyi prize for Composition, sponsored by Baron Albert Profumo (father of John Profumo MP). Her winning composition was entitled Rapunzel and the prize amounted to ‘100 guineas’. At the Academy, the fees per Term were then £25 so the value of this prize today would be around £7000.
Orchestral playing
Guirne Creith regularly played the Viola in the Academy’s Orchestra, which was conducted by Sir Henry Wood. Performances were held at The Queen’s Hall, London, W1.
Guirne Creith's records at the Royal Academy of Music
Other famous musicians who played in the Orchestra at this time were:
- Violin: Sydney Griller (founder - Griller Quartet)
- Cello: Douglas Cameron
- Flute: William Alwyn
- Oboe: Leon Goossens, Terence McDonagh, Helen Gaskell
- Horn: Aubrey Brain (father of Dennis Brain)
The Royal Academy of Music archives contain records of the achievements of its students, including concert programmes and listings of BBC radio broadcasts in the 1920s.