Pianist Molly McGregor is the Highland Young Musician of the Year after winning the 2013 title.

Yesterday eight of the Highland’s most talented young musicians gathered in Inverness to perform to a panel of judges.  After the judges had spent time with each musician individually they invited five young people to perform their complete programmes in the evening’s public finals. 

After the five finalists had performed the audience was treated to a recital by last year’s winner, Cellist Findlay Spence from Fortrose Academy while the judges deliberated.

Molly, a pupil at Resolis Primary School on the Black Isle was crowned Highland Young Musician of the Year and Findlay presented her with the crystal Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence. The runner up prize went to Belinda Gordon (Clarinet) from Thurso High School and Finn Smith (Trombone) from Grantown Grammar School won the prize for the most promising talent.
In their closing remarks, the judges commented on how impressed they had been at the high standard of musicianship shown by all the participants throughout the day.   

The Highland Council’s Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton said:  “The standard of performance during the competition was extremely high and the judges had a genuinely difficult time in making their decisions. 

“Over the whole day and the evening the atmosphere was very positive and supportive. Putting themselves forward  to compete at this level is a credit to the dedication of all the entrants. Music making in all its forms continues to go from strength to strength in Highland schools thanks to the support of staff and the enthusiasm, talent and hard work from pupils.”

left: Belinda Gordon (runner up)

right: Finn Smith (most promising talent)

 

 

 

judges and winners, as Findlay Spence (2012 winner) presents Molly with the trophy 

 

 

 

Highland Young Musician 2012

Findlay Spence - Fortrose Academy

 Findlay with the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence, with Rebecca Amphlett (Grantown Grammar), runner-up and Bruce Foster (Dingwall Academy), most promising talent.

  

  winners & judges 

 

 

 

 

Helena (2011 winner) presents the trophy

 

 

 

Highland Young Musician 2011

     Helena Rose,

Lochaber High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Finalists (l to r): Hector Waudby-West (runner up); Helena Rose (winner); Laura Keen (most promising talent)

   

 

   

Winners & Judges 2011

 

 

                                               

Emma Donald (2010 winner) presents the trophy to Helena Rose

 

Highland Young Musician 2010

After a weekend of intensive rehearsals and performance, five of Highland’s most talented young musicians took part in the annual Highland Young Musician of the Year competition.  The judge’s decision awarded violinist Emma Donald from Dingwall Academy the top prize and Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence with Millburn Academy’s Hector Waudby-West being placed as runner-up for his performance on the double bass.  The ‘Most Promising Talent’ award was given to Peter Thornton, a trombone playing pupil also from Dingwall Academy.

 

Highland Young Musician 2009

2009 prizewinners:

Winner: David Buhl (Charleston Academy) - cello

Runner-up: Erica Sinclair (Thurso High School) - clarinet

Most Promising Talent: Hector Waudby-West (Millburn Academy) - double bass

 

 2009 Finalists: (l to r)

Erica Sinclair; Hector Waudby-West; Alister More; Graham Mackenzie; Duncan Bolton; David Buhl (seated)

 

 

 2009 entrants:

Back row (l to r): Shona Berque; Erica; Hector; Alister; Graham; Duncan

Front row (l to r): Emma Donald; Beth O'Connell; David; Peter Thornton; Bethany King

 

Each year as the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence is passed on to the new winner, an engraved quaich is presented for the previous years winner to keep. The Friends of Highland Young Musicans generously donate the quaich.