Young Musician of the Year 2024

The Young Musician of the Year Competition is always a highlight in an otherwise damp and cold January. It was a pleasure seeing all students enjoying the opportunity of performing rather than worrying about any outcome of the competition. Beforehand, students were reminding each other to speak slowly when announcing, to tuck in their shirts and share gloves to keep their hands warm. From the atmosphere, it was easy to forget that this was a competition!

This year we listened to 130 competitors in the House Music Solos at a Friday lunchtime. As ever, the standard was high, with great participation across the school. From these heats, finalists were drawn for QEH Young Musician of the Year 2024. It was a great evening and our thanks go to Mr Bembridge-Sayers for accompanying and Jeff Howard for adjudicating. The audience of families and QEH staff at Bristol Music Club were serenaded to a range of virtuosic and musically fulfilling repertoire.

The finalists were:

JUNIOR CATEGORY [YEARS 7-9]

James T, Anton D, Joab H-W, Calvin W, Ben R

INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY [YEARS 10-11]

Oliver K, Seth H-W, Christopher H

SENIOR CATEGORY [YEARS 12-13]

Jeevan B, Ben E, Aubrey R-B

The winner of the Junior category was clarinettist Ben R performing Allegro con brio from Malcolm Arnold’s Sonatina.

The winner of the Intermediate category was pianist Seth H-W performing Impromptu No. 2 by Alexander Scriabin

The winner of the Senior category was guitarist Jeevan B performing Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tárrega.

Congratulations to all who took part, it was a great evening, we were very proud of you all.

Thanks again to all of those who performed in House Music this year! Bravo!

Mr T Harrison