Highland Young musician of the Year
Ten of the Highland’s most talented young musicians will gather at Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Sunday 12th June as they complete for the title ‘Highland Young Musician of the Year 2011’.
The competition is open to all those who are currently members of any of the Highland Regional Music Groups with the winner receiving a monetary award and the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence – generously gifted by Mr. & Mrs. H.C. Richardson. Two additional monetary awards are also awarded by the judges – one for the Runner-up and one for the Most Promising Talent.
Taking part this year are – Bruce Foster (Oboe) and Peter Thornton (Trombone) both from Dingwall Academy; Ruby Downie (Voice), Sophie Strain (French Horn) and Jennifer Callaghan (Trumpet) all from Nairn Academy; Hector Wandby-West (Double Bass) and Laura Keen (Flute) from Millburn Academy; Robbie Mackenzie (Violin), Culloden Academy; Helena Rose (Violin) from Lochaber High School and Emma Beesley (Basson) from Tain Royal Academy.
The competitors will all have spent time on the day before the competition rehearsing and honing their performances with the competitions official accompanists, Aileen Fraser and Lucy Robertson. One piece from each entrants programme will be presented to the judges during the afternoon of the competition day and the panel will spend some time with each competitor chatting about their musical aspirations before their complete programme is presented in the public final which begins at 7pm.
With such a large number of entrants this year it is unfortunate that a proportion of the competitors will not be asked to perform at the final following their afternoon encounter with the judging panel. The public final starts at 7pm and anyone is welcome to attend.
Whilst the judges deliberate their prize-winners decision at the end of the evening, last years winner, Emma Donald will entertain the audience before receiving her winners quaich as she hands over the crystal trophy to this years overall winner.
“The competition provides and ideal opportunity for some of our most talented young musicians to compete at an extremely high level” said Norman Bolton, the Highland Council’s Music Development Officer. “Entrants this year cover a wide range of ages and instrumental disciplines, with representatives from all over the region. Whilst this is a competition, the atmosphere is positive and supportive. The courage they have shown to compete at this level is a credit to their dedication.”
The judges this year are Jennifer Martin, composer and freelance music educator; John Grant, conductor and freelance music educator and Barry Deacon, principal clarinet with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
The competition is supported by The Highland Council; The Drumossie Hotel and Friends of Highland Young Musicians.