BBC Young Musician is a televised national music competition broadcast biennially on BBC Television and BBC Radio 3.[1] Originally BBC Young Musician of the Year, its name was changed in 2010.

BBC Young Musician
Awarded forExceptional musical talent
LocationVarious; Bristol Beacon (2024 final)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Presented byBBC
Formerly calledBBC Young Musician of the Year (1978–2008)
First awarded1978; 46 years ago (1978)
WinnerRyan Wang in 2024
WebsiteBBC Young Musician website
Television/radio coverage
NetworkBBC Two, BBC Four and BBC Radio 3
Former logo/banner used in 2004

The competition, a former member of the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY), is open to UK-resident percussion, keyboard, string, brass and woodwind players, who are eighteen years of age or under on 1 January in the relevant year.[2]

History

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The competition was established in 1978 by Humphrey Burton, Walter Todds and Roy Tipping, former members of the BBC Television Music Department.[1] Michael Hext, a trombonist, was the inaugural winner. In 1994, the percussion category was added, alongside the existing keyboard, string, brass and woodwind categories.[1] The competition has five stages: regional auditions, category auditions, category finals, semi-finals and the final.[3] The biennial competition is managed and produced by BBC Cymru Wales.

To date, there have been 22 winners, the youngest being 12-year-old Peter Moore.[4] In 2014, the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award was introduced;[5] Alexander Bone, a saxophonist, was the inaugural winner.[6]

As a result of the success of the competition, the Eurovision Young Musicians competition was initiated in 1982.[1] The first edition was broadcast live from Manchester's Free Trade Hall. The presenter was Humphrey Burton and the producer was Roy Tipping. The winner of BBC Young Musician often went on to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Young Musicians.

For the tenth edition of the competition in 1996, a series of recitals given by past finalists were broadcast on BBC Two in a late-night timeslot. The competition celebrated its 30th anniversary in May 2008 with a documentary narrated by Gethin Jones on BBC Two[7] and with former participants speaking to 2006 winner Mark Simpson for Young Musicians Grown Old on BBC Radio 4.[8] BBC Four's documentary BBC Young Musician: Forty Years Young was aired on 3 April 2018. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, the first BBC Young Musician Prom was held at the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast live on 15 July 2018. Presented by Clemency Burton-Hill, the concert featured performances from past winners and finalists alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Andrew Gourlay.[9]

The 2020 competition was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, after proceeding as normal up to and including the filming of the semi-final. The five category finals were broadcast in May and June 2020, with broadcast of the semi-final and recording of the final postponed, at first until the autumn, and then into 2021. The Jazz Award final was broadcast as planned on 22 November 2020, having been recorded at Cadogan Hall in the absence of an audience.[10] The grand final was recorded in April 2021[11] – also without an audience – and broadcast on 2 May, preceded on 30 April by the delayed broadcast of the semi-final.[12]

The 2022 competition was deferred from spring to early autumn and was broadcast in October; the semi-final stage of the competition (introduced in 2010) was discontinued for that year. For the 2024 competition, a new format was introduced: category finals were replaced by two quarter-finals each featuring six musicians. A total of six musicians progress to the semi-final, and then three to the grand final.[13]

Broadcast

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Regional heats were televised in 1978; a round before the category final was aired until 1994, and again in 2002 and 2004. From 1978 to 1984, all programmes were broadcast on BBC One until it was moved to BBC Two in 1986; however from 2002 to 2012, the majority of the competition rounds were moved to BBC Four, with only a highlights/preview show (in 2002 and 2004) and the final aired on BBC Two. Previously, additional programmes were broadcast as part of each competition alongside coverage in some later years on BBC Radio 3.

In 2010, highlights of the new semi-final stage were also broadcast on BBC Two. In 2014, all stages of the competition moved to BBC Four, and the category finals and the grand final were broadcast on BBC Radio 3. For the 2018 competition, Radio 3 broadcast a 30-minute concert starring each competitor in the week before their category final aired. For 2024, the grand final will be broadcast on BBC Two for the first time since 2012 in the form of highlights of the concerto performances, whilst the full concert programme is to be aired on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3.[13]

Hosts

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The following have hosted stages of the competition:[14]

Classical Award

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Jazz Award

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BBC Young Dancer

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A competitive dance version, BBC Young Dancer, was launched in October 2014 and first awarded in May 2015.[15]

BBC Young Jazz Musician

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A separate competition for a Jazz Award was first held during the 2014 season, with the final broadcast on BBC Four in the week after the classical final.[6] In 2016, the Jazz Award final was episode 7 of the 8-part BBC Four series, broadcast two days before the classical final.[16] In 2018, the jazz competition had an upper age limit of 21[17] and the final was recorded for BBC Four in November as part of the London Jazz Festival;[18] it was broadcast on 25 November, six months after the main final.[19]

Winners

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Classical Award

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Year Name Instrument Place of study Winning age Notes Finals venue
1978 Michael Hext Trombone Royal College of Music 17 Orchestra member at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden[20] and occasional solo performances[21] RNCM Concert Hall, Manchester
1980 Nicholas Daniel Oboe Royal Academy of Music 18 International soloist and principal oboe of the Britten Sinfonia. Founder of the Britten Oboe Quartet and the Haffner Wind Ensemble. Has performed at numerous BBC Proms.[22]
1982 Anna Markland Piano Chethams School, University of Oxford, Royal Academy of Music 18 Has since developed a reputation as a teacher, adjudicator and singer as Anna Crookes[23] Free Trade Hall, Manchester
1984 Emma Johnson Clarinet Sevenoaks School, Cambridge University 18 Solo clarinettist with a repertoire of over 40 concertos[24]
1986 Alan Brind Violin Royal Academy of Music 17 Has since led the European Union Youth Orchestra and won the Young Musician of the Year award[25]
1988 David Pyatt Horn Watford Grammar School for Boys 14 Youngest winner of the award at the time. Has performed at numerous BBC Proms.[26] Principal at London Philharmonic Orchestra.[27]
1990 Nicola Loud Violin Royal Academy of Music, Juilliard School 15 Has appeared in multiple British orchestras and several abroad[28] St David's Hall, Cardiff
1992 Freddy Kempf Piano St Edmund's School, Canterbury, Royal Academy of Music, London University 14 Became the youngest person at the time to win the award. Has since released numerous recital discs.[29] Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
1994 Natalie Clein Cello Royal College of Music, Heinrich Schiff 15 Became the first British winner of the Eurovision Competition for Young Musicians. Has performed with several British orchestras.[30] Barbican, London
1996 Rafal Zambrzycki Payne Violin Yehudi Menuhin School, Royal Northern College of Music, Herbert von Karajan Centre 18 Won second prize at the Luxemburg International Violin Competition. Performed in orchestras in Europe, the United States, South Africa, The Middle East and Zimbabwe.[31] Symphony Hall, Birmingham
1998 Adrian Spillett Percussion Royal Northern College of Music 19 First percussionist to win the award. Has performed with an array of ensembles including the 4-MALITY Percussion Quartet. Principal Percussionist with the CBSO. Former Head of Percussion at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire[32] Waterfront Hall, Belfast
2000 Guy Johnston Cello Chetham's School of Music, Eastman School of Music 18 A performance at the Royal Albert Hall made him the youngest soloist to appear on the first night of The Proms.[33] Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
2002 Jennifer Pike Violin Chetham's School of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama 12 At the time, was the youngest ever winner of the award. Has appeared as a soloist with British orchestras and performed at other BBC events.[34] Barbican, London
2004 Nicola Benedetti Violin Yehudi Menuhin School 16 Performed with the BBC concert orchestra and recorded her debut album with Daniel Harding and the London Symphony Orchestra[35] Usher Hall, Edinburgh
2006 Mark Simpson Clarinet Royal College of Music, Oxford University, Guildhall School of Music & Drama 17 Was the Principal Clarinet of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Started studies at the Royal College of Music, but dropped out to go to the University of Oxford.[2] The Sage, Gateshead
2008 Peter Moore Trombone Chetham's School of Music 12 Youngest winner of the award.[36] Co-principal at London Symphony Orchestra. Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
2010 Lara Ömeroğlu Piano Purcell School, Royal College of Music 16 Nowadays known by the name of Lara Melda
2012 Laura van der Heijden Cello Royal College of Music 15 Her debut album 1948 won the 2018 Edison Klassiek Award; the following year she won BBC Music Magazine's Newcomer of the Year Award. The Sage, Gateshead
2014 Martin James Bartlett Piano Royal College of Music, Purcell School 17 He appeared in 2012 competition, at the age of 15, as a finalist in the keyboard category[37] Usher Hall, Edinburgh
2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason Cello Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Catholic Comprehensive School 17 He holds the ABRSM Junior Scholarship to The Royal Academy of Music. Has played in the Chineke! Orchestra, as well as the JRAM Symphony Orchestra, and played chamber music with the Kanneh-Mason Piano Trio and the Ash String Trio.[38] Barbican, London
2018 Lauren Zhang Piano Birmingham Junior Conservatoire, King Edward VI High School for Girls 16 Played the fiendishly difficult Prokofiev Concerto no.2 and was commended for her 'inherent musical intelligence' and 'exceptional technical ability'. Won first prize at the 15th Ettlingen International Piano Competition in 2016. First Asian winner of the competition.[39][40] Symphony Hall, Birmingham
2020 Fang Zhang Percussion Chetham's School of Music 17 Member of the China Youth Percussion Orchestra and has won percussions competitions in China, New York and Tokyo.[41] Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
2022 Jordan Ashman Percussion Royal Birmingham Conservatoire 17 He has played with the National Children's Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Brass Band.[42]
2024 Ryan Wang Piano Collingwood School, Eton College 17 His performance of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto in the Final was described by judge Alexis Ffrench as "world class". Bristol Beacon

Jazz Award

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Year Name Instrument Place of study Winning age Notes Finals venue
2014 Alexander Bone Saxophone Chetham's School of Music 17 Inaugural winner of the separate Jazz Award competition[6] Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff
2016 Alexandra Ridout Trumpet Royal Academy of Music, Purcell School 17 Her 21-year-old brother Tom was also a finalist[43]
2018 Xhosa Cole Saxophone Holyhead School, Ladywood Community School of Music 22 Has played saxophone in the Jazzlines Ensemble, Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra and Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra among others. While studying in sixth form, Xhosa attended courses with the National Youth Jazz Collective and National Youth Wind Orchestra. He performs and teaches regularly around Birmingham.[44][45] Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
2020 Deschanel Gordon Piano Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 22 Has collaborated with Mercury Prize-nominated SEED Ensemble and Mark Kavuma's The Banger Factory, and also has his own trio. Cadogan Hall, London
2022 Ewan Hastie Double bass Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 20 Has toured with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and the Sligo Jazz Festival; previously received the Mark McKergow Prize for Jazz Improvisation. Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

Past finalists

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Key
Person won the competition of that year
Bold Performer got through to the final
Italics Performer was present at the semi-final stage

1970s

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1978

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Name Instrument/Category
Jeremy Atkin Piano
Wissam Boustany Flute
William Brewer Horn
Paul Coker Piano
Michael Collins Clarinet
Caroline Dale Cello
Barry Douglas Piano
Michael Hext Trombone
Stephen Hough Piano
Malcolm Martineau Piano
David Melville Trombone
Susie Meszaros Viola
Lindsay Miller Oboe
Kevin Morgan Tuba
Rona Murray Violin
Robin O'Neill Bassoon
Jonathan Rees Violin
Kenneth Rhind Tuba
Gillian Tingay Harp
Colin Twigg Violin
Robin Williams Oboe

1980s

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1980

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Name Instrument/Category
Niall Brown Cello
Anna Carewe Cello
Samuel Coles Flute
Lorna Cook Clarinet
Nicholas Daniel Oboe
Paul Galbraith Guitar
John Bryan Henry Piano
Jonathan Kowszun Euphonium
Jacqueline Leveridge Piano
David McClenaghan Horn
Clare McFarlane Violin
Bill Miller Euphonium
Ronan O'Hora Piano
Anthony Pike Clarinet
Julie Price Bassoon
Hilary Punshon Piano
Robert Vanryne Trumpet
Elaine Wolff Cornet

1982

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Name Instrument/Category
Alexander Allen Clarinet
Michael Bland Clarinet
Sam Coles Flute
Steven Craven Cornet
Anthony Cross Cornet
Paul Galbraith Guitar
Richard Henry Bass Trombone
Karen Jones Flute
Marie-Noelle Kendall Piano
James Kirby Piano
Tasmin Little Violin
Anna Markland Piano
Carla Marta Rodrigues Viola
Jagdish Mistry Violin
Jeanette Murphy Horn
Jean Owen Bassoon
Wendy Picton Euphonium
Paul Richardson Piano
Simon Smith Violin
Mary Wu Piano

1984

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Name Instrument/Category
Neyire Ashworth Clarinet
Naomi Atherton Horn
Brendan Ball Trumpet
Nicola Bingham Trumpet
Christopher Blake Oboe
Jocelyn Boyer Flute
Sarah Beth Briggs Piano
Julian Cawdrey Flute
Julian Dyson Piano
Janice Graham Violin
Andrew Harley Piano
Emma Johnson Clarinet
Oren Marshall Tuba
Robert Max Cello
Richard May Cello
Lucy Parham Piano
Hannah Roberts Cello
Ursula Smith Cello
Julian Sperry Flute
Louise Stopforth Trombone
Simon Vidor Piano
Abigail Young Violin

1986

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Name Instrument/Category
Alan Brind Violin
Francesca Fraser Recorder
Sam Haywood Piano
Fiona Howes Flute
Anthony Hughes Piano
Boris Kucharsky Violin
David Le Page Violin
Jacob Lund Tuba
Robert Markham Piano
Jeremy Meehan Bassoon
Steven Miller Piano
Rachel Nadin Piano
Anthony Neal Trombone
Rhys Owens Trumpet
Julian Plummer Horn
Anna Pyne Flute
Julian Sperry Flute
Eva Stewart Flute
Stephen Stewart Trumpet
Annelies Terry Cello
Victoria Wardman Viola

1988

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Name Instrument/Category
Robert Agnew Piano
Emily Beynon Flute
Sarah Burnett Bassoon
Rachel Clarke Horn
David Horne Piano
Boris Kucharsky Violin
Jonathan Leathwood Guitar
Ben Lees Trumpet
Jonathan Middleton Piano
Andrew Nicholson Flute
Steven Osborne Piano
Charles Owen Piano
Craig Patterson Trumpet
David Pyatt Horn
Katherine Spencer Clarinet
Jennifer Sturgeon Flute
Lucy Wakeford Harp
Heather Wallington Viola
Paul Watkins Cello
David Whitehouse Trombone

1990s

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1990

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Name Instrument/Category
Thomas Adès Piano
Cathy Beynon Harp
Ruth Bolister Oboe
Thomas Carroll Cello
Martyn Chambers Trumpet
Amy Claricoates Cello
Simon Cowen Trombone
Gareth Davies Flute
Martin Douglas Tuba
Laura Jellicoe Flute
Daniel Jemison Bassoon
Simon Johnson Trombone
Nicola Loud Violin
Zoe Mather Piano
Leon McCawley Piano
Richard Ormrod Piano
Jeremy Pooley Horn
Jonathan Rimmer Flute
Kirsty Staines Violin
Karen Twitchett Piano

1992

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Name Instrument/Category
Rachel Barnes Bassoon
Thomas Carroll Cello
Elaine Clark Violin
Simon Cowen Trombone
James Cuddeford Violin
Robin Haggart Tuba
Miranda Harding Cello
Tim Horton Piano
Freddy Kempf Piano
Michael Lynn Clarinet
Louise McMahon Flute
Heather McNaughton Horn
Helen Moody Oboe
Kevin Norbury Tuba
Jason Ridgeway Piano
Daniel Tong Piano
Helen Vollam Trombone
Jamie Walton Cello
Maxine Willis Flute
Rebecca Wood Oboe
Anthony Zerpa-Falcon Piano

1994

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Name Instrument/Category
Claire Allen Trumpet
James Arnold Trumpet
Adrian Brendel Cello
Emma Bullough Oboe
Edward Cervenka Percussion
Natalie Clein Cello
Colin Currie Percussion
David Edmonds Flute
Sam Elliott Tuba
Andrea Hallam Violin
Stuart King Clarinet
Jack Liebeck Violin
Joseph Long Piano
Katherine Mackintosh Oboe
Claire Madin Piano
Ruth McGinley Piano
Philip Moore Piano
Matthew Myatt Piano
Rafal Payne Violin
Matthew Perry Percussion
Tracey Redfern Trumpet
Julie Stewart Flute
David Thornton Euphonium
Andrea Vogler Percussion
Stephen Whibley Percussion

1996

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Name Instrument/Category
Juliette Bausor Flute
Edward Cervenka Percussion
Julien Cheriyan Piano
Sam Elliot Tuba
Alison Farr Piano
Tim Gunnell Percussion
Richard Harpham Oboe
James Hart Percussion
Ben Hudson Bassoon
Mark Law Trumpet
Rafal Zambrzycki Payne Violin
Katy Pryce Trombone
Sally Pryce Harp
David Quigley Piano
Michael Rives Percussion
Peter Roper-Curzon Piano
Keith Slade Clarinet
Daniel Smith Piano
John Storey Euphonium
Miriam Teppich Violin
Sam Walton Percussion
Adrian Wilson Oboe
Helena Wood Violin
Katharine Wood Cello
Adam Wright Trumpet

1998

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Name Instrument/Category
Ron Abramski Piano
Mark Almond French horn
Alison Balsom Trumpet
John Barker Saxophone
Juliette Bausor Flute
Emma Brodie Percussion
Katherine Bryan Flute
Calum Cook Cello
Andrew Cottee Percussion
Sam Elliott Tuba
Benjamin Errington Viola
Alison Farr Piano
Tim Gibbs Double bass
Charys Green Clarinet
Nicholas Hagon Piano
David Hilton Trumpet
Magnus Johnston Violin
Niall Keatley Trumpet
Marie Macleod Cello
Magnus Mehta Percussion
Troy Miller Percussion
Helen Reid Piano
Adrian Spillett Percussion
Nathan Williamson Piano
Adrian Wilsom Oboe

2000s

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2000

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Name Instrument/Category
Angela Barnes French horn
Katherine Bryan Flute
David Childs Euphonium
Simon Cosgrove Saxophone
Elizabeth Couling Oboe
Keith Forster Percussion
Scott Foster Percussion
Ashley Grote Organ
Owen Gunnell Percussion
Tom Hunter Percussion
Guy Johnston Cello
Edward Jones Trombone
Samantha Kerby Recorder
Jack Liebeck Violin
Katie Lockhart Clarinet
Leo McFall Piano
Kodo Osada Piano
Christopher Parkes French horn
Tom Poster Piano
Nicholas Rimmer Piano
Matthew Sadler Trumpet
Rakhi Singh Violin
Alexander Sitkovetsky Violin
Helena Smart Violin
Oliver Yates Percussion

2002

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Name Instrument/Category
Henry Baldwin Percussion
Angela Barnes Horn
Katherine Bryan Flute
Benjamin Bryant Percussion
Stephen Burke Percussion
Rowena Calvert Cello
George Corbett Cello
Simon Cosgrove Saxophone
Colin Davis Piano
Scott Foster Percussion
Matthew Gee Trombone
Emma Hancock Violin
Edward Jones Trombone
Patrick King Percussion
Laura Lucas Flute
Michael McHale Piano
Leslie Neish Tuba
Timothy Orpen Clarinet
Thomas Osborne Trumpet
Jennifer Pike Violin
Robert Scamardella Piano
Andrew Shirtliff Piano
Sarah Tandy Piano
Litsa Tunnah Violin
Sarah Williamson Clarinet

2004

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Finals for the 2004 competition took place on 2 May at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh and were televised on BBC Two. The trophy used for this year's competition was designed by John Rocha at Waterford Crystal.[46][a]

Name Instrument/Category
Otis Beasley Keyboard
Lucy Beeson Percussion
Nicola Benedetti Violin
Elizabeth Chell Horn
Sijie Chen Violin
Adam Clifford Percussion
Andrea Crossley Percussion
Michal Cwizewicz[47] Violin
Elizabath Drury Saxophone
Richard Elsworth Percussion
Ashley Fripp Keyboard
Christopher Gomersall Trombone
Benjamin Grosvenor Keyboard
Daniel De Gruchy-Lambert Trumpet
Eddy Hackett Percussion
Clare Hammond Keyboard
Toni James Keyboard
Catriona Mackinnon Oboe
Christopher Pannell Tenor horn
Paul Skinner Flute
Peter Smith Tuba
Ellen Hydref Thomas Harp
Suzanne Thorn Oboe
Tamsin Waley-Cohen Violin
Adam Walker Flute

2006

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The 2006 finals were held at The Sage Gateshead on 20 May 2006.[2] The adjudicators for this competition were Marin Alsop, Carlos Bonell, Peter Sadlo, Thea King, Sergei Nakariakov, Angela Hewitt and Kathryn McDowell.[48]

Name Instrument Performance Notes
Toby Kearney Percussion Veni, Veni, Emmanuel (MacMillan) Now a member of the Royal Northern College of Music, his childhood environment encouraged him to be involved in music[48]
David Massey Guitar Fantasia para un Gentilhombre Began guitar lesson at eight years old at the Mid Herts Music Centre, with current aspirations for a career involving music;[48] is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London
Huw Morgan Trumpet Trumpet Concerto (Tomasi) Principal trumpet of the National Youth Orchestra, began learning piano and other instruments at five years of age[48]
Mark Simpson Clarinet Clarinet Concerto (Nielsen) Winner of the 2006 competition, originally played the keyboard and recorder[2][48]
Cordelia Williams Piano Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 Studied at Chetham's school for 7 years, and is currently studying at the Guildhall School in London.[48]

The semi-finalists that did not progress were, by category:[49]

  • Keyboard: Lydia Scadding, Kausikan Rajeshkumar, Melissa Gore and David Secchi
  • Percussion: Katy Hebditch, Oliver Lowe, David Elliott and Daniel Jones
  • Woodwind: Suzanne Thorn (oboe),Helen Wilson (flute), Emily Ross (oboe) and Harry Winstanley (flute)
  • Brass: Stephen Sykes (trombone), Sasha Koushk-Jalali (tuba), Aledander Edmundson (French Horn) and Ryan Gray (euphonium)
  • Strings: Meherban Gillett (double bass), Victoria Goldsmith (violin), Sarah Oliver (cello), David Massey (guitar) and Sophie Rosa (violin)

2008

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The 2008 finals took place at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on 10 and 11 May 2008.[50] In celebration of thirty years of the competition broadcasting, the performances lasted for two days.[51][a]

Name Hometown Instrument Notes
Anke Batty Lyndhurst, Hampshire Clarinet Achieved Grade 8 distinction in Singing, Piano and Saxophone as well as playing the clarinet
Daniel Day Hayfield Percussion Began playing percussion at the age of three after his father, a professional drummer bought him a drum set; currently studies at the Chetham's School of Music
Jadran Duncumb Ski, Norway Guitar Two time winner of the Norwegian National Youth competition; began playing the Guitar at the age of ten
Alexander Edmundson Lytham St Annes French Horn Began playing the French Horn at seven years of age after hearing Mozart's Horn Concert No 4.; he studies at Chetham's School of Music and is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
David Elliott Bournemouth Percussion Began playing percussion at the age of three, and currently studies at the Trinity College of Music after studying at Chetham's School of Music for three years; he held the position of Co Principal in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain percussion section
Michael Foyle Troon Piano Began playing piano at the age of six, and is also a violinist, he has led the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain; currently studying at Wellington School
Sam Law Ballymena Piano Began playing piano at the age of six, and now studies at the Ballymena Academy and at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin
Henry Lindsay Amersham Tuba Currently studying at The Purcell School of Music, the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music and is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
Cecilia Sultana De Maria Warminster Harp Began playing the Harp at the age of ten while also playing the Piano and Violin, currently studies at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music
Erdem Misirlioğlu Ipswich Piano Studying at the Northgate High School in Ipswich and the Junior Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Jim Molyneux Littleborough, Greater Manchester Percussion Started playing percussion at the age of seven and is studying at the Chetham's School of Music
Peter Moore Stalybridge Trombone Started to play the trombone at the age of six. Held the position of Principal Trombone of the National Children's Band of Great Britain; he is the youngest musician in this year's competition
Kausikan Rajeshkumar Harrow, London Piano Began playing the piano at seven years of age, and currently Studies at The Purcell School of Music; he has received awards for composing, such as Highly Commended at BBC Proms Composers' Competition 2006
Katherine Robb Bushey Violin Started playing the Violin at eight after being offered free lessons in her school in Essex; she later became a student at The Purcell School of Music, and was the first violinist in the National Youth Orchestra for 2 years
Melanie Rothman Carshalton Oboe Began playing the Oboe at the age of ten, and is studying at The Purcell School of Music, but also studies at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music and is Principal Oboe of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain after joining just one year previously
Jun Sasaki London Cello Began playing the Violin at the age of four, but switched to the Cello at five; he currently studies at Yehudi Menuhin School
Joseph Shiner East Brent, Somerset Clarinet Began playing the Clarinet at eight years of age; he has since achieved Principal Clarinet of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain after two years of membership
David Smith Fife Flute Began playing the Flute in 2004, his influence being when he heard Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; he studied at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh until 2008. He also plays the Saxophone very well
Delia Stevens Normanton on Soar Percussion Studies at Loughborough High School and was influenced to play percussion after seeing the school orchestra performance
Matthew White Bolton Euphonium Studies at Chetham's School of Music, and was Principal Euphonium with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

2010s

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2010

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Name Instrument/Category
Finlay Bain French Horn
Frederic Bager Piano
Tom Berry Trombone
Glain Dafydd Harp
Anne Denholm Harp
Sophie Dee Piano
Anna Douglass French Horn
Chloé Greenwood Oboe
Emma Halnan Flute
Alex Hamilton French Horn
John Hewitt-Jones Viola
Lucy Landymore Percussion
James Larter Percussion
Sam Moffitt Trumpet
HuiWai Nok Percussion
Joe Norris Clarinet
Lara Ömeroğlu Piano
Oliver Pooley Percussion
Lavinia Redman Oboe
Seán Morgan-Rooney Piano
Katy Smith Violin
Callum Smart Violin
Delia Stevens Percussion
Ben Westlake Clarinet
Yuanfan Yang Piano

2012

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Name Instrument/Category
Adam Boeker Piano
Alexander Kelly Bass Trombone
Charlotte Barbour-Condini Recorder
Charlotte Cox Bassoon
Christopher Dunn Tuba
Cristian Grajner-De-Sa Violin
Dominic Degavino Piano
Elizabeth Tocknell French Horn
Elzbieta Young Trumpet
Hyun-gi Lee Percussion
James Larter Percussion
Joel Sandelson Cello
Jonathan Bates E flat Tenor Horn
Jordan Black Clarinet
Julia Hwang Violin
Juliette Roos Violin
Laura Van Der Heijden Cello
Lucinda Dunne Saxophone
Luke O'Toole Flute
Martin James Bartlett Piano
Molly Lopresti Percussion
Peter Rayner Percussion
Richard Rayner Percussion
Victor Lim Piano
Yuanfan Yang Piano

2014

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Classical Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Daniel Shao Flute
Dogyung Anna Im Violin
Elizaveta Tyun Violin
Ellena Newton Trombone
Elliott Gaston-Ross Percussion
Hannah Foster Flute
Hayley Parkes Piano
Isata Kanneh-Mason Piano
Isobel Daws Trombone
Jess Gillam Saxophone
Jess Wood Percussion
Julian Trevelyan Piano
Juliana Myslov Harp
Lewis Bettles Trombone
Martin James Bartlett Piano
Matilda Lloyd Trumpet
Matthew Farthing Percussion
Nick Seymour Saxophone
Ning Hui See Keyboard
Roberto Ruisi Violin
Sophie Westbrooke Recorder
Stefan Beckett Percussion
Tom Highnam Percussion
Will Thomas Trumpet/Flugelhorn
William Dutton Violin
Jazz Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Alexander Bone Saxophone
Freddie Jensen Double bass
Jake Labazzi Trumpet
Sean Payne Saxophone
Tom Smith Saxophone

2016

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Classical Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Andrew Woolcock Percussion
Ben Goldscheider Horn
Charlie Lovell-Jones Violin
Gemma Riley Trombone
Harvey Lin Piano
Hristiyan Hristov Percussion
Jackie Campbell Piano
Jess Gillam Saxophone
Joanne Lee Flute
Joe Parks Percussion
Joe Pritchard Cello
Julian Trevelyan Piano
Louisa Staples Violin
Lucy Driver Flute
Marie Sato Flute
Matthew Brett Percussion
Polly Bartlett Recorder
Sam Dye Trombone
Sheku Kanneh-Mason Cello
Stephanie Childress Violin
Tom Pritchard Percussion
Tomoka Kan Piano
Yuanfan Yang Piano
Zak Eastop Trumpet
Zoe Perkins Trumpet
Jazz Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Alexandra Ridout Trumpet
Tom Ridout Saxophone and Recorder
Tom Smith Saxophone
Noah Stoneman Piano
Elliott Sansom Piano

2018

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Classical Award
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The 2018 finals were held at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on 13 May 2018. The judges were Kerry Andrew (chair), Alpesh Chauhan, Natalie Clein, John Harle and Sunwook Kim.[40]

Name Instrument/Category
Adam Heron Keyboard
Alexander Pullen Percussion
Annemarie Federle French Horn/Brass
Elias Ackerley Keyboard
Eliza Haskins Recorder/Woodwind
Elodie Chousmer-Howelles Violin/Strings
Francis Bushell Bassoon/Woodwind
Isobel Daws Trombone/Brass
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Keyboard
Lauren Zhang Keyboard
Mariam Loladze-Meredith Keyboard
Marie Sato Flute/Woodwind
Matthew Brett Percussion
Maxim Calver Cello/Strings
Meadow Brooks Percussion
Michaias Berlouis Bass Trombone/Brass
Robert Burton Saxophone/Woodwind
Sam Dye Trombone/Brass
Stephanie Childress Violin/Strings
Tom Hall Percussion
Tom Myles Clarinet/Woodwind
Toril Azzalini-Machecler Percussion
Torrin Williams Guitar/Strings
Will Duerden Double Bass/Strings
Will Thomas Trumpet+Flugelhorn/Brass
Jazz Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Xhosa Cole Saxophone
Reuben Goldmark Piano
Fergus McCreadie Piano
James Owston Bass
Seth Tackaberry Bass

2020s

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2020–21

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Classical Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Alexander Pullen Percussion
Alice Gore Woodwind – Bassoon
Annemarie Federle Brass – French Horn
Bridget Yee Keyboard
Coco Tomita Strings – Violin
Daisy Noton Woodwind – Flute
Eliza Haskins Woodwind – Recorder
Ellen Baumring-Gledhill Strings – Cello
Ewan Millar Woodwind – Oboe
Fang Zhang Percussion
Harvey Lin Keyboard
Huw Boucher Strings – Harp
Ilai Avni Strings – Violin
Isaac Harari Percussion
Jacky Zhang Keyboard
Joseph Longstaff Brass – French Horn
Lewis Kentaro Isaacs Percussion
Marian Bozhidarov Woodwind – Clarinet
Meggie Murphy Brass – Trombone
Mio Takahashi Strings – Violin
Rhydian Tiddy Brass – Trombone
Sejin Yoon Keyboard
Thomas Luke Keyboard
Toril Azzalini-Machecler Percussion
William Burton Brass – Tuba
Jazz Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Deschanel Gordon Piano
Alex Clarke Saxophone
Kielan Sheard Bass
Matt Carmichael Saxophone
Ralph Porrett Guitar

2022

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Classical Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Aki Blendis Strings - Violin
Alex Buckley Woodwind - Clarinet
Clara-Sophia Wernig Strings - Violin
Daniel Hibbert Brass - French Horn
Dawid Kasprzak Strings - Violin
Dida Condria Keyboard
Duru Erdogan Keyboard
Edward Walton Strings - Violin
Eric Zhang Percussion
Ethan Loch Keyboard
Firoze Madon Keyboard
Florence Wilson-Toy Brass - Trumpet
George Garnett Percussion
Imogen Moorsom Brass - French Horn
Isaac Skey Woodwind - Flute
Jacky Zhang Keyboard
Jaren Ziegler Strings - Viola
Jordan Ashman Percussion
Joshua Gearing Percussion
Lucas Dick Woodwind - Clarinet
Phoebe Mallinson Brass - Trumpet
Sasha Canter Brass - Trumpet
Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez Woodwind - Flute
Sophie Warner Percussion
Thomas Priestley Woodwind - Saxophone
Jazz Award
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Name Instrument/Category
Ewan Hastie Double bass
Luke Bacchus Piano
Nick Manz Piano
Ralph Porrett Guitar
Emma Rawicz Saxophone

2024

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Classical Award
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Judging every televised round of this year’s competition are trumpeter Alison Balsom, pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench, and multi-instrumentalist and broadcaster Hannah Catherine Jones. The two quarter finals were won by Jamaal Kashim and Shlomi Shahaf respectively, with Hugo Svedberg, Jacky Zhang and Ryan Wang advancing to the semi-final as "wildcards". Zang, Wang and Shahaf were announced as the finalists.[52]

Name Instrument/Category
Alasdair Cottee Woodwind
Alicia Li-Yan-Hui Woodwind
Defne Anar Strings
Finn Anderson-Hendra Strings
Hugo Svedberg Strings
Jacky Zhang Keyboard
Jamaal Kashim Strings
Kaelyn Soh Strings
Maya Broman Crawford-Phillips Strings
Rose Gosney Strings
Ryan Wang Keyboard
Shlomi Shahaf Strings

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Extended information used where available.

References

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General
  • "BBC Young Musician of the Year: Past Finalists". BBC. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
Specific
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