The search has begun for the next Gregynog Young Musician of the Year, one the country’s prestigious musical accolades for young people.
Previous winners of the competition have gone on to become professional musicians with many playing at concerts throughout the world. In addition to the title, the winner will receive a cash prize of £3,000.
The competition returns ‘physically’ after being held online last year due to the Coronavirus situation.
Musicians from throughout the UK can enter the event with the finals held at Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, near Newtown, on November 13.
Past winners have included cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason who went on to reach number one in the classical music charts. He was also invited to play at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in June 2019.
The competition is open to any student who plays an orchestral instrument, including the harp, piano, classical guitar, recorder, saxophone, brass band instrument and percussion.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or younger on the date of the competition.
Edd Rayner, Chair of the organising committee, said: “I am thrilled at the prospect of a return to Gregynog for the 2021 competition. We have all missed real live music in our lives and it will be wonderful to be ‘back home’ at Gregynog this year. The competition is already attracting interest from around the world; a wonderful competition is in prospect this year.”
In addition to the overall award winner, there will be five category winners. These are String Player of the Year, Pianist of the Year, Woodwind Player of the Year, Brass Player of the Year, Young Harpist, Guitarist, Percussionist of the Year.
Each finalist will receive a £500 cash prize. There is an additional award presented to a young accompanist (23 years or under) on the day of the competition who, in the opinion of the judges, is deserving of the Chairman’s Trophy and a prize of £400.
Candidates should submit an entry form with a recording of two contrasting pieces of no more than 10 minutes total duration. The music need not be the repertoire the candidate may choose to play in later stages of the competition.
The closing day for entries is Sunday, October 10, 2021.