Update on the competition

On Saturday and Sunday 13 / 14 September, the heats for Young Musician 2008 took place in the Camberley Theatre.

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

There is over £1,000 in prizes 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 will be awarded £500. Prizes of £100 and £50 will be awarded to category winners and runners-up respectively.

The Finals will be hosted at The Camberley Theatre on Sunday 19th October. Tickets for the evening will be £10 and £5 for concessions.

Doors open at 6:30PM, the performance will commence at 7:00 PM in the presence of the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Alan Whittart

Details

For more information, please see here

The adjudicator for the 2008 competition will be Tim Barratt.

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