Heath Bethe Wins Nancy Blumer Prize

A Murrumbidgee Regional High School student has won the Nancy Blumer prize for the second year in a row.

Year 12 music student Heath Bethe took the first prize in the 2023 competition, following on from Leo Forner’s win in 2022. Heath’s brother Anthony also managed to win third place in the 2023 competition.

The award, named after late Griffith musician Nancy Blumer, was established in 1963 and is open to musicians between the ages of 12 and 18 living within 160 km of Griffith. It coincides with the Os Butler Award for young vocalists in the area.

Heath played I Giorni, a 21^st century piece from composer Ludovico Einaudi. It’s a piece he’s had quite a lot of success with, having performed it at Murrumbidgee In Concert and for the trial HSC.

“This was the first time I’d tried to memorise the piece,” explains Heath, “I was a bit nervous. I entered because I wanted to practice my HSC piece in front of an audience.”

Congratulations on your win, Heath!