An Ealing student who founded his own orchestra as a teenager after more than a decade playing music, has now received international critical acclaim for two of his pieces – all while still studying for his degree.

Blazej Mokrzak was this summer presented with second prize at the Vienna Conservatory’s International Competition for his contemporary flute and piano piece ‘Ferdydurke’, and took home third prize at the USA International Youth Music Competition in Atlanta with, ‘Resurrection’. 

He was also named as a finalist in an international competition in Ukraine, seeing his string quartet piece played at the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra during the final concert. 

The musician, who started playing the piano aged six, soon learnt the guitar and clarinet and by aged 15 was composing his own music. A year later had founded his own chamber orchestra which played across Poland and even in the UK – setting him on the path to international success.

Now in his first year of a BMus (Hons) Composition (Film/Theatre) at UWL’s London College of Music (LCM) where he wrote the award-winning music pieces, he is continuing to make his mark right across the world and putting everything he’s being taught towards building a successful future.  

Blazej said:

To win these prizes and have such acclaim is incredible, I cannot believe how well my music is being received but know I just want to do more and push myself even further.

I would like to work as a film music composer and studying at LCM has allowed me to prepare for a future as a professional composer by learning all the aspects of creating music for a picture.