AN ALVA man recently won a prestigious prize in a global music composition competition.

Paul Jelfs won the top prize in the Able Arts Foundation's worldwide music composition contest with his composition Back To Where It All Began.

The Able Arts Foundation (AAF) was created by film composer and SESAC recording artist Stephen Letnes and it serves creative people with disabilities who are on fixed incomes.

Paul, who has faced many challenges over the years with both his mental and physical health, hopes winning this prize can take him onto greater things.

He said: “I am delighted to have won this very prestigious prize against so many other composers from around the world.

“Composing is my passion and I hope this will take me to the next level and onto greater things.”

In previous years Paul has run successful music tuition businesses in Alloa and also attained a first-class business degree with honours at Stirling University.

He has recently been accepted onto a competitive Masters degree in Professional Media composition course through Thinkspace, a renowned music education establishment run by experienced music composers, on a course limited to 50 applicants.

Steve, Paul’s dad, says he is immensely proud of his son’s latest achievement.

He said: “Given his mental and physical struggles, and the fact it’s a global competition, it’s pretty impressive.

“He submitted a piece of music and was judged by people such as Monte Moir.”

Monte Moir is a well-known name in the music industry, having worked with Prince and Janet Jackson, as well as being credited on Rihanna’s Grammy-nominated song Work.

Steve continued: “A Los Angeles-based sampling company have asked him if they can use his piece of music on their website – they do a lot of work with Disney and Sony.

“He’s very good at composing and he’s had a lot of struggles in his life so I’m really proud of what he’s achieved.”

This year’s competition sought to find the best compositions and attracted hundreds of entries from across 29 countries, with Paul’s entry scooping the top prize.

As his prize, he will be able to receive a single instrument or composition library of his choice from 21 contest participating AAF partners – including Impact Soundworks, Orange Tree Samples and Red Room Audio – worth several thousand pounds.

Announcing the winners on YouTube last month, Stephen Letnes said: “I want to thank everyone who sent in their music.

“It was remarkable…last year was tremendous, this year; it just keeps getting better and better.

“It was a real joy to listen to.”

Visit ableartist.org/ for more information on the Able Artist Foundation.