Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year

Scottish Young Musicians is Scotland’s new festival of music competitions. These competitions give school students the chance to achieve their ambitions through their talent in music, develop their life skills and have fun. There are school and local authority competitions leading to national finals. They are open to every school student that sings or plays an instrument. 

There are two national competitions with finals in 2022: Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year and Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year. The Brass Ensemble of the Year is an online music competition open to ensembles of up to 10 players (aged 18 and under) who play together regularly in school or in their local youth brass band. There will also be an ensemble chosen from those attending independent schools. If in doubt about how it will work in your school or band, please ask your music teacher or instructor.

Ensembles should play a programme of two contrasting pieces lasting no longer than 10 minutes in total. The performance should be an unedited video with all participants playing in one venue at the same time. Each local authority, independent schools and bands can only submit one entry, but we would encourage each group to have their own competitions to select their final entry.

Closing date for entries is 25th March 2022 with results being announced on 25th of April 2022. In addition to the trophy, the winning ensemble will receive a prize of £750, to be spent on ensemble music related activities, and an all-expenses paid trip to play during a prime slot at the Solo Performer of the Year final on Sunday 29th May at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This prize has been generously donated by the late Philip Jones CBE and his wife Ursula Jones OBE. Philip founded one of the world’s most celebrated brass ensembles which bears his name, and their extensive catalogue of recordings is frequently played on radio. The runners up ensemble will receive £250.

Click here on how to enter the Brass Ensemble of the Year

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