Stranraer Brass Ensemble wins the first Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year competition

Stranraer Brass Ensemble (consisting of Sophie Hall, Lewis Miller, Keir Halliday, Aidan Miller and Pippa Stirling)

Scotland has two new competitions for young performers, Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year and Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year, both of which are taking place for the first time this year, and each competition seeks to find the very best young musicians in each Local Authority and from independent schools in Scotland.

The Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble competition has just taken place on-line. Open to ensembles of up to 10 players aged 18 and under who play together regularly in school or in their local youth brass band, one entry was allowed from each Local Authority, Independent School Group and Youth Brass Band, and each of these groups were encouraged to have their own competition to select their final entry. 

The winners this year were Stranraer Brass Ensemble (consisting of Sophie Hall, Lewis Miller, Keir Halliday, Aidan Miller and Pippa Stirling) from Stranraer Brass. As well as getting the winning trophy, the ensemble now has an expenses paid trip to perform at the final of the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year, which takes place on 29 May 2022 at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and there is also £750 to be spent on ensemble music related activities. The runners up were East Lothian Schools Brass Ensemble and Perth High School Brass Ensemble.

The Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year competition is offering a fine range of prizes with many organisations supporting it. The Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland (host for the final) is offering the winner of the solo competition a coaching session with the relevant head of department, participation in a masterclass, and a studio recording session with an accompanist provided, plus prizes for runners up. There are also prizes being offered by The Cumnock Tryst, Trinity Laban, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Dunedin Consort, Haydock Music, Stringers of Edinburgh, and The Corner Shop PR.

Full details from the Scottish Young Musicians website.