Scottish Young Musicians 2022
On 29th May, twenty-two of the best young musicians from across the country gathered to wow an audience of hundreds at the Scottish Young Musicians National Finals.
Taking place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the event was presented by singer and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall and featured a special welcome by international classical violinist Nicola Benedetti.
After some incredible performances from the finalists, Juliet Robertson was announced as the winner of 2022 Solo Performer of the Year.
The 14-year-old pianist is an S2 pupil from Dunblane High School and started playing piano when she was four years old. She is a part of RCS Juniors and has previously competed in Japan and Scotland.
Juliet receives £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the Maid of Morven trophy made by the King’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland Alexander Stoddart FRSE. Juliet also receives a package of opportunities provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland including a coaching session, participation in a masterclass and a studio recording session.
The runners up were Yuan Wong (an accordionist from Renfrewshire) and Ben Dickinson (a French horn player from East Renfrewshire). They both received £250 to spend on musical activities and a coaching session and masterclass slot at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Every finalist received a career-enhancing prize, such as performance opportunities, concert tickets, opportunities to sit in on rehearsals and masterclasses, mentoring, meet-and-greets with musicians, social media training, music shop vouchers and more.
This year's prizes have been generously provided by some of the UK’s leading musical institutions and orchestras. Find out more about the competition prizes >>
The evening culminated in a performance by the winning Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year Stranraer Brass Ensemble. As well as the opportunity to play at the National Finals, they also won a stunning Maid of Morven sculpture and £750 to spend on ensemble music related activities.
Their award was presented by Dr Ursula Jones OBE, who generously donated the prize on behalf of her late husband, the virtuoso trumpeter, Philip Jones CBE.
The runners up in the Brass Ensemble of the Year competition were East Lothian Schools Brass Ensemble and Perth High School Brass Ensemble.
We were delighted to welcome our esteemed panel of adjudicators:
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Christopher Bell, Artistic Director of NYCOS and Chorus Director of the Grant Park Music Festival. Read Biography
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Heather Nicoll, Head of Woodwind at RCS, with a diverse career as a performer and teacher. Read Biography
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Aaron Shorr, Pianist with an international career as soloist, chamber musician and educator. Read Biography
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Jennifer Pike, Internationally renowned violinist known for her dazzling interpretive flair. Read Biography
The accompanist was Christopher Baxter, a renowned Scottish pianist who has performed across the UK and globally. Read Biography
Gallery
Images by Ian Georgeson
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I was really shocked to hear my name called as the winner and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet! I wasn’t even expecting to win my regional final, so to be holding this trophy now feels incredible. Everyone else was amazing and performed so well, I can’t believe I’m the first Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year!
