The 2024 Maura Dowdall Competition saw eight exceptional musicians compete for the Maura Dowdall Award of €1,000 and a coveted performance opportunity with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. The Colin Staveley Memorial Prize is awarded to the highest-placed string performer.
After a competitive final performance in the Whyte Recital Hall of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, our jury of Elaine Clarke (Co-leader, National Symphony Orchestra), Joe Csibi (General Manager, RTÉ Concert Orchestra) and Colman Pearce (Conductor, pianist and composer) were delighted to announce cellist Andrés Vacarro as the winner of the Maura Dowdall prize of €1,000 for his performance of Lalo's: Cello Concerto in D Minor. Andrés also secured the Colin Staveley Award receiving an additional winning prize of €400, kindly donated by the Staveley family.
A massive thank you to all who made it to the performance and thanks to our jury & donors, Bill Dowdall, the Dowdall family and The Staveley Family.