Scottish Young Musicians 2023
On Sunday 21 May 2023, 31 of the best young musicians from across Scotland gathered in Glasgow to compete in the Scottish Young Musicians Final.
Expertly compered by Ian Mills, chair of the MEPG Board of Trustees, the second ever Solo Performer of the Year competition saw incredible performances from Scotland’s young musicians who enthralled an audience of hundreds at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The title of Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year was awarded to Emily Barron. The 16-year-old clarinettist from St. Columba’s School Kilmacolm secured the title with a winning performance of Solo de Concours by André Messager.
Emily received £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career, the Maid of Morven trophy and a package of opportunities provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Will Archibald from Dumfries and Galloway and Michael Gemmell from the Scottish Borders were awarded the position of equal runners up. They both received £250 to spend on musical activities and a coaching session and masterclass slot at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The panel of judges was led by John Logan, Head of Brass at RCS. He was joined by Sarah Ayoub of the multi-instrumental composing and performing duo the Ayoub Sisters, internationally renowned soprano Judith Howarth, Heather Nicol, Head of Woodwind at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Ross Leighton from the band Fatherson.
The day started with a special welcome from international classical violinist Nicola Benedetti and culminated in a performance by the winning Scottish Young Musicians Ensemble of the Year, East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service Senior String Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble of the Year Stranraer Brass.
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Images by Ian Georgeson
It’s been a really incredible opportunity to take part in Scottish Young Musicians and I never would have expected to win out of all of these wonderful musicians. There’s a lot you can learn by hearing other musicians play and I’ve taken away a lot today from hearing all the other musicians who are all around my age. I’ve been really inspired to continue playing music and can’t wait to see what lies in the future.
