The live final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 1 March showcased 13 ensembles from across Scotland.
Perth and Kinross Big Band were awarded Overall Winners, and Brass Ensemble of the Year was awarded to the Campbeltown Brass Quintet.
Scottish Young Musicians, Scotland’s leading music education charity, gives young musicians from every corner of the country the chance to compete in this prestigious competition to win career-enhancing prizes, perform live on a national stage in front of internationally renowned judges, and push their technique and performance skills to their full potential.
The competition, which attracted entries from across the country, culminated in the live final on Sunday 1 March. Taking first place in the Open Ensemble competition and overall winners of the day were Perth & Kinross Big Band, receiving the John Wallace Award in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional contribution to music education. The big band delivered a show-stopping programme of Cheesecake by Gordon Dexter and Lingus by Snarky Puppy, with such groove and vigour that the audience couldn’t help but whoop and groove along with them. They created a powerful wall of sound, and their sheer love of playing was nothing short of infectious. Special mentions must go to the incredibly slick and swinging saxophone solos and a particularly talented young trumpeter.
The Open Ensemble runners-up were the incredibly talented trio Farran, from the Scottish Culture and Traditions group, who stunned the audience with their emotive and goosebump-inducing rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme, uniquely arranged by themselves, as well as an impeccably clean, toe-tapping performance of both Lochaber Badger by Fred Morrison and The Oblique Jog by Niall Vallely. They produced both beautiful soaring melodies and intricate trills effortlessly with fiddle, guitar, whistle, vocals and Uilleann pipes, and are certainly a traditional trio to watch.
The Brass Ensemble of the Year competition was won by the very smart, blazer-clad Campbeltown Brass Quintet, who impressed with a contrasting programme of Amazing Grace by Canadian Brass followed by Beer Barrel Polka, arranged by Paul Nagle. Their fantastic use of dynamic range, pure tone in professional-quality solos and very tight, in-sync technical tonguing made them a standout ensemble of the day. Worthy runners-up in the Brass competition were the East Renfrewshire Schools’ Brass Ensemble, with their equally varied programme of Stadt Wien by Richard Strauss followed by Pops for Four (Hallelujah Drive) by Chris Hazel, both delivered with energy, emotion and finesse.
After three years of the Ensemble Final being held online, the final was held live for the second year running at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The final was compered by “Scotland’s Voice” on BBC Radio Scotland and one of Scotland’s leading artists, the brilliant Jamie MacDougall, who had the performers feeling prepared and at ease, as well as the audience enraptured throughout the day. One ensemble in each category was selected to represent each local authority, as well as Scotland’s independent schools. Apart from all competitors needing to be school students in Scotland, there was no minimum age requirement to compete, with musicians as young as 10 years old wowing audiences on Sunday.
The panel of esteemed adjudicators at the final included Head of Woodwind at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Heather Nicoll, violinist, vocalist and composer Seonaid Aitkin, and Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Alistair Mackie.
The adjudicators were incredibly impressed by the array of talent on display and were particularly looking out for musicians who created energy and an atmosphere, built a connection with the audience, evoked emotion and ultimately captured the spirit and joy of music making.
Adjudicator Heather Nicoll of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said:
“It was a very difficult decision, which is testament to the strength and depth of talent, and an absolute joy to witness such tremendous quality. The day has been an affirming celebration of the musical talent in Scotland, as well as all the support and work that goes into nurturing such joy, confidence and talent in this demanding industry.”
Professor Lois Fitch, Deputy Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, acknowledged “the sheer diversity on display” and said:
“It is a pleasure and honour to host at RCS, and what we have here is truly the next generation of musicians.”
Alan Kerr, Chair of Scottish Young Musicians, said:
“Following on from the success of the first live ensemble final last year, we were bowled over by the enthusiasm of teachers, performers and supporters. It made this year’s final even bigger, better and more energetic. As the largest music education organisation in Scotland, SYM is looking forward to making this a permanent fixture on the music map of Scotland’s young performers, and to continue to grow the competition further.”
Also in 2026, local authorities covering 100% of Scotland’s population took part in Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year, giving opportunities to more young people who would like to compete in Scotland’s only music competition where funding and expertise is offered to every school and local authority.
The 2026 finalists
- South Lanarkshire Brass Ensemble, South Lanarkshire
- Albyn School Jazz Ensemble, Independent School
- South Ayrshire Woodwind Ensemble, South Ayrshire
- Aberdeen Grammar Brass Ensemble, Aberdeen City
- Farran, Scottish Culture and Traditions
- Edinburgh Schools Classical Guitar Chamber Ensemble, Edinburgh
- East Renfrewshire Schools’ Brass Ensemble, East Renfrewshire
- Midlothian Percussion Project, Midlothian
- Campbeltown Brass Quintet, Argyll and Bute
- Glasgow Schools’ Clarinet Choir, Glasgow City
- Stranraer Junior Brass Ensemble, Dumfries and Galloway
- Bearsden Academy Senior String Ensemble, East Dunbartonshire
- Perth and Kinross Big Band, Perth and Kinross
