Congratulations to Emmanuel O, for taking home first prize and the prestigious Glover Cup at the Habs Musician on of the Year 2024. 

The Head Boy at Haberdashers Crayford Academy wowed judges with his performance of a multi-media instrumental piece, featuring keyboard, beatbox, bass guitar, voice and loop pedal combined.

The Musician of the Year Award celebrates the musical accomplishments of Habs students and helps to deepen connections between our family of diverse Habs schools across the UK. The event brings together performers and their families, teachers and members for a wonerful occasion of high quality music for all to enjoy. 

This year, Emmanuel beat of stiff competition from nine other extremely talented Habs musicians to take home first prize. 

However, our four judges, Dame Jane Glover, Member of the Freedom, Alessandro Fisher, Member of the Livery, Adrian Bradbury, Member of the Freedom and Catherine Milledge, Haberdashers' Monmouth School Alumnus, were also entranced by our young contestants, each of whom delivered to an outstanding performance. 

Musicians included:

Gareth T on the drums from Adams

Rosie L singing from Borough Academy

Cairo C-S on the piano from Knights Academy

Tom H on the cornet from Abraham Darby

Sedona S on piano from Elstree Girls

Jose G on clarinet from Hatcham 

Aarav R on guitar from Elstree Boys

Eleanor M on violin from Monmouth Girls

Miles T on piano from Monmouth Boys

Lead Judge, Dame Jane Glover, Member of the Freedom said: In the four years since we instigated this Music Competition, we have seen the standard rise, thrillingly.  Even with the catastrophic intervention of Covid and lockdown, music has survived in the Haberdashers' Schools at very high levels.  At a time when music education is being decimated in so many other schools across the country, it is truly heartening to see that the Haberdasher Schools can deliver - across the board - individual performances of distinction and invention. Everyone involved in the planning and execution of the Haberdashers’ Musician of the Year is to be congratulated: the Haberdashers for continuing to be aware of the immense importance of the Arts in education, the individual schools and their teachers (both permanent and peripatetic), and of course the pupils themselves, who could not have performed to such a level without formidable dedication, endeavour and imaginative artistry.

Well done to all who performed!

Watch Emmanuel's winning performance below: