2023/24 COMPETITION
24 Mar 2024 – INVERNESS ARCHIVE CENTRE
Highland Young Musician 2023
2023 winner: Megan Fisher (clarinet)
2023 competitors & judges: (l to r) Angela Nankivell (piano); Jamir karnphan (viola); Violet Matheson (piano - runner-up); Megan Fisher (clarinet - winner).
Megan went on to perform very well as the Highland representative at the Scottish Young Musician competition in RCS, Glasgow.
Highland Young Musician 2018
2018 finalists (L to R): Ruairidh Jones (saxophone); Jonathan Mackay (violin); William Hodi (piano); Jamie Philip (trombone); Kirstie Ritchie (french horn).
2018 winner: William Hodi (piano)
William (2018 winner) and Rhona Mackintosh (2017 winner who performed whilst judges made their decisions)
Highland Young Musician 2017
Rhona Mackintosh, violin - Highland Young Musician of the Year 2017
WINNER 2017: Rhona Mackintosh, violin
RUNNER-UP: Sophie Cushnie (L of pic)
MOST PROMISING TALENT: Sandy Scott-Brown (R of pic)
2017 competitors and judges
2017 - all competitors: (L to R)(f denotes finalist)
Catherine Mackay (viola); Jonathan Mackay (violin)(f); Saffron Wittka-Jezewski (piano); Sophie Cushnie (violin)(f); Rhona Mackintosh (violin)(f); Sandy Scott-Brown (cello)(f); Jemimah Morris (saxophone)(f); Caera Douglas (flute)(f); Rosie Morris (trumpet).
Highland Young Musician 2016
Antony Hook, tuba - Highland Young Musician of the Year 2016
WINNER: ANTONY HOOK
RUNNER-UP: ZOE HODI (R of pic)
MOST PROMISING TALENT: RHONA MACKINTOSH (L of pic)
Highland Young Musician 2015
Abigail Millar-Todd, harp - Highland Young Musician of the Year 2015
Winner: Abigail Millar-Todd harp
Runner-up: Zoe Hodi, violin
Most Promising Talent: Hattie McGregor, cello
2015 finalists (l-r): Hattie McGregor; Lewis Clarkson; Abigail Millar-Todd; Zoe Hodi; Adam Forsythe; Amber-Rose Ness
Highland Young Musician 2014
Susannah Mack,violin - Highland Young Musician of the Year 2014
Highland Young Musician 2013
Pianist Molly McGregor - Highland Young Musician of the Year 2013.
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.
Inaugural competition finalists - 2006
Winner: Graham Mackenzie
