Prizes

Finalists will also have a chance to win amazing career-changing prizes including cash to spend on developing music skills, a hand-crafted trophy, masterclasses, coaching, recording sessions, festival performances, meet-and-greets with top music institutions and more!

CATEGORY PRIZES

Adjudicators will decide who the best performer is in each of the following categories. Each category winner will receive a certificate, trophy, and a career–changing prize.

• Strings
• Woodwind
• Brass (The Philip Jones Brass Prize)
• Percussion
• Piano (The Vivienne Bailey Piano Prize)
• Early Music (The Dunedin Consort Early Music Prize)
• Voice
• Trad

Vivienne Bailey's remarkable musical journey began very early, when her extraordinary musical talent became apparent.  As a 12 yar old during the Great Depression, she was compelled to leave school and help support her family by teaching piano.  Her musical abilities led to multiple scholarships, ultimately earning her a place at The Royal Academy of Music.  This was a significant achievement, not only because it was rare for a woman to receive such an offer at the time, but also because she was a woman of colour and it brought her to London during the turbulent years of the Blitz in World War II at the age of 17.  

Emerging from the war unscathed, Vivienne travelled to Norway, where immersed herself in the world of Norwegian impressionist artists.  She later returned to Canada, where she pursued her other passions: medicine and, after obtaining her master's degree, teaching.  Vivienne's final years were dedicated to working with child prodigies.  She brings a legacy of compassion and her dedication lives on through her son, Greg, who fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor.  In her honour, he is supporting this prize to celebrate her love for music and commitment to teaching and helping others. 

The Dunedin Consort Early Music Prize is open to any Scottish Young Musician of the Year participant who performs a piece composed before 1750 as part of the competition.  The prize winner will receive a bespoke packing of coaching, access to rehearsals and concerts, and the chance to meet some of our expert musicians.  This prize will introduce the winner to the world of Historically Informed Performance from some of the world's best.  

We are grateful to Ursula Jones OBE, for donating the cash prize for the winning brass ensemble in memory of her late husband virtuoso trumpeter Philip Jones CBE, who founded the widely celebrated Philip Jones Brass Ensemble.  The brass ensemble winner will also receive the Maid of Morven trophy and an all-expenses trip to play at a prime slot at the National Final of the Solo Performer of the Year competition in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The Open Ensemble winner will receive a cash prize, the Maid of Morven trophy and an all-expenses trip to play at a prime slot at the National Final of the Solo Performer of the Year competition in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

New for 2025 is The John Wallace Award, in recognition of John's exceptional contribution to music education.  The trophy will be given to the overall winner of the ensemble competition.