The
competitions
Scottish Young Musicians is Scotland’s festival of music competitions which helps young people achieve their ambitions, develop their talent in music and have fun. This year our young musicians are competing for the titles of Solo Performer of the Year, Brass Ensemble of the Year and Ensemble of the Year.
SOLO PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
A nationwide competition to discover the brightest musical talent in Scotland, open to every school student in Scotland who sings or plays an instrument.
ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR
An online competition open to ensembles of 3 to 16 players, in any genre. School and local ensembles can win a chance to perform in a prime slot at our National Final. There are also additional prizes including a prize for an exceptional brass ensemble.
BRASS ENSEMBLE
Brass Ensemble of the Year is open to ensembles of 3 to 12 players. Your ensemble must play together regularly in a formal group from a school or recognised music organisation (not an informal group of friends.
JUNIORS
New for 2024, Scottish Young Musicians are offering local authorities support to put on a Junior Competition.
to the solo performer national final
May 24 2026
to the ensembles' national final
Mar 1 2026
I was very grateful to be selected as the winner of the North Ayrshire Young Musician final in 2017. This gave me a platform to share my music and develop my performance skills which was an incredibly valuable experience as I was preparing to start my Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I am now studying a Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London, and I believe that my experience playing in the final was one of several positive, formative experiences that shaped me into the musician I am today.
I am delighted that Scottish Young Musicians has expanded this platform across the whole of Scotland and believe that this will allow the next generation of young musicians to flourish and develop their performance and life skills.
Winner of the 2021 Principal's Prize, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Leverhulme Arts Scholar, Royal College of Music
