Brass Ensemble

of the Year

The Brass Ensemble of the Year is open to ensembles from local authorities, independent schools, brass bands and recognised music groups. Next year's National Final that will take place in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 1 Mar 2026.

We're delighted to announce that Campbeltown Brass Senior Ensemble have been announced as the 2025 winners of Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year. The runner up was Hillfoots Music for Youth Brass Ensemble.

The initial round of the Ensemble of the Year is an online competition. You will record a video of your ensemble playing. The video must:

• include a programme of two contrasting pieces
  
  
• be no longer than 10 minutes in total
  
  
• have no more than 2 players per part 
  
  
• be unedited, with all participants playing in one venue at the same time

One ensemble should be selected to represent each local authority, recognised music organisation, and Scotland's independent schools. We encourage each local authority, independent schools and recognised music organisations to have their own competition to select their final entry.

The chosen entries will then be submitted for judging by our panel of esteemed adjudicators. The winning ensemble will be awarded the title of Brass Ensemble of the Year and receive a cash prize to further their musical experiences, the Maid of Morven Trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to play a prime slot at the Solo Performer of the Year National Final at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

If you are a young musician, speak to your music teacher or ensemble conductor to let them know you're interested in entering the competition.

They should contact the following person to get details about entering the competition:

• Local authority schools should contact their Music Service Manager
  
  
• Independent schools should email:
  [email protected]
  
  
• Other ensembles should contact Mae Murray on:
  [email protected]
  

Once you've recorded your video (see How does it work?), the above contact will send you a link to upload your videos and music scores. Only one entry is permitted for each local authority, band and Scotland's independent schools, so there may be local and regional competitions to decide a final entry.