Page 143 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

The finalists performed in front of a panel that included Professor Jonathan Vaughan, vice-principal
& director of music at Guildhall School; Huw Humphreys, head of music at the Barbican; Gweneth
Ann Rand, soprano and alumna; Jordan de Souza, conductor; and the evening’s conductor Natalie
Murray Beale.

Mole said: ‘It’s been a privilege and an honour to perform in the Gold Medal final, and to join the
list of previous winners; it is something I am going to hold very fond memories of when I look back
on my time at Guildhall School.

'Watching the competition when I first joined the conservatoire as a nervous 18 year old it never
occurred to me that one day I might be able to compete on that stage for the Gold Medal, let alone
win; I am absolutely thrilled. I am thankful for the incredible support of everyone around me, not
least my teacher John Evans, my parents, my girlfriend Inês Costa who played with me for the piano
round, and Guildhall’s Head of Opera Dominic Wheeler who has been so supportive in what has
been a tricky year for us all.’

The Gold Medal award was founded and endowed by Sir H Dixon Kimber in 1915, and has
continued annually. Previous winners include William Primrose (1922), Jacqueline du Pré (1960),
Patricia Rozario (1979), Tasmin Little (1986) and Sir Bryn Terfel (1989).

The 2021 Gold Medal is dedicated to the memory of Adrian Thorne, highly regarded teacher,
colleague and member of Guildhall School’s community for over 50 years.

The Gold Medal final is part of Guildhall School’s online summer season, all of which is free to
view on the School’s website.