Update on the competition

On Sunday 19 October, the finals for Young Musician 2008 took place in the Camberley Theatre, in the presence of the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Alan Whittart

Some 16 contestants performed in four instrumental categories - Piano,  Woodwind, Brass and String. Sadly we had no contestants in the percussion section.

There was a prize fund of more than £1,000 to play for and the adjudicator, Tim Barratt, was impressed with the performances.

Said Mr Barratt:

"I was thrilled to be invited to adjudicate this inaugural competition the organisation of which has been first-rate. The atmosphere of the first round which took place on 13-14 September was informal and relaxed and each performer received a verbal adjudication directly after their performance. The competition attracted a high level of talented budding musicians, all of whom gave secure, confident performances of their own choice of pieces. As the adjudicator I was also looking for that extra quality – an ability not only to convey the composers intentions through appropriate choice of Tempo, good rhythmic control, clear dynamic and phrasing, etc. but also to claim ownership of the music by lifting the piece ‘off the page’ and creating a real sense of occasion. I was not disappointed in this and look forward to hearing a selection of the instrumentalists perform again in the more formal but no less friendly and supportive atmosphere of the final next month."

The overall winner of the Final was awarded £500. Prizes of £100 and £50 were awarded to category winners and runners-up respectively.

Details

For more information, please see here

The adjudicator for the 2008 competition was Tim Barratt.

The overall winner was Elizabeth Edwards.

The other prize winners can be seen here.

The Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of the competition by SC Johnson and Chancellor & sons