A WINCHESTER college has crowned its first ever contemporary musician of the year.

Drummer Matt Arnold, 18, won the Contemporary Young Musician competition at Peter Symonds College with a performance of ‘Garden Wall’ by Dave Weckl, beating out runner up Sam Ingvorsen, 16, a bass guitarist who scooped the prize in the guitar section.

Heats took place throughout the day on Monday, December 5, with all the entrants taking part in band workshops after they performed to get feedback on their skills.

Rachel Platt, head of music at the college, said: “This one-day event, run as part of the Music Festival, offered our non-classical music students an opportunity to show off their contemporary music skills. Many are studying music alongside music technology, aiming for a future music degree and a career in music.”

“We are very pleased with the day’s results and I would like to congratulate our winners and thank Ted Carrasco and Geoff Lai, the department’s wonderful drum and guitar teachers, for helping to adjudicate and run the workshops. I am sure that this event will continue to grow in stature and become a notable musical fixture in the future.”