Sean, 19, takes top global prize

AN EDINBURGH-BORN musician has won one of the world's most prestigious music competitions.

Sean Shibe, 19, picked up the top award and a 15,000 prize in the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) 59th Annual Music Competition.

Mr Shibe, a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Glasgow, is the academy's first student to win the award and only the second classical guitarist to win in the ROSL competition's 60-year history.

He said: "I am delighted to have won such a prestigious award. This is an internationally renowned competition and I am very much looking forward to the months ahead, performing on tour for the ROSL.

"To be one of the youngest ever recipients of this award and only the second guitarist to win in 60 years is a real honour."

RSAMD principal professor John Wallace said: "Sean plays with such human understanding. Listening to him is life-enhancing - young artists like him carry the future of Scotland with ease."

Maurice Summerfield, editor of Classical Guitar magazine, described Mr Shibe as a "rare musical talent".

He said: "Sean Shibe has the potential to be one of the world's great classical musicians. His latest win at the ROSL is further confirmation he is on course to do just that."

The teenager joins a distinguished alumni of ROSL winners, which includes cellist Jacqueline du Pre and the soprano Jean Rigby. Other notable winners have included Piers Lane and Jonathan Lemalu.

The teenager was awarded the North East Scotland Classical Guitar Society Award last year. He is a regular at guitar festivals throughout the UK and will be part of the line-up at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.