The Senior String Ensemble of East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service has won the title Scottish Young Musicians Ensemble of the Year after an online competition that attracted entries from across Scotland.
The Stranraer Brass Ensemble won a special prize for brass ensembles, donated in honour of the late Philip Jones CBE.
Both ensembles will receive a cash prize, a trophy designed by Alexander Stoddart and an all-expenses-paid trip to play at the Solo Performer of the Year National Final at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The Scottish Young Musicians Festival offers young musicians from across the country the chance to compete for career-enhancing prizes and perform live on a national stage.
Performances were adjudicated by John Wallace, Convenor of the Scottish Music Education Partnership Group, Arlene Macfarlane, Director of Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust, Laura Gardiner, Foundation Director of The Benedetti Foundation, and the award-winning Scottish marimbist and percussionist Calum Huggan.
John Wallace said, ‘It was heart-warming to see such an enthusiastic response to the ensemble and brass competitions. The overall winning entry, from East Lothian, and the winning brass ensemble, from Stranraer, were remarkable for their musicality and panache. They were able to communicate their musical message through the microphone directly to the heart and soul as well as the ears of our adjudication team.’
Photo: The Senior String Ensemble of East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service
