Highland Young Musician of the Year

Five of the Highland's most talented young musicians will gather at Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Sunday 27th June as they complete for the title 'Highland Young Musician of the Year 2024.

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 and Mrs H C Richardson.

Two additional monetary awards will also be awarded by the judges for the Runner-up and for the Most Promising Talent.

Taking part will be Sophie Strain from Nairn Academy playing the French Horn, Hector Waudby-West from Millburn Academy on the Double Bass and Dingwall Academy pupils Emma Donald, Fiona Fraser and Peter Thornton on violin, voice and trombone.

The competitors will all have spent time on the day before the competition rehearsing and honing their performances with the competitions official accompanist, Fiona Macleod. Fiona hails from Inverness herself but is currently working in Italy and was delighted to be invited to support the musicians at this event.

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.

Whilst the judges deliberate at the end of the evening, last years winner cellist David Bühl will entertain the audience before receiving his winners quaich as he hands over the beautiful crystal trophy to this years overall winner.

Norman Bolton, The Highland Council's Music Development Officer said: "The competition provides an ideal opportunity for some of our most talented young musicians to compete at an extremely high level. 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 Dr. Pete Stollery, Head of Music at Aberdeen University, , Jennifer Martin, composer and freelance music educator and Adam Mackenzie, Director of Education, English Sinfonia and freelance Bassoonist. Adam is also a product of a Highland's music tuition, hailing originally from Tain.

The competition is generously supported by The Highland Council, The Drumossie Hotel and Friends of Highland Young Musicians. Anyone wishing to come along to the public final should come along to the hotel in time for a 7pm start.