S4 pupil, Fin Young from Ardnamurchan High School was awarded the coveted title of Highland Young Musician of the Year 2024 at an event which took place at the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness on Sunday 24th March.
Fin impressed the audience and perhaps more importantly, the Judges with his varied programme on the piano. He will now represent the Highland region in the Scottish Young Musician of the Year competition which is being held later in May at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
Fin was competing in a field of other competitors that included Emlyn Jones from Inverness on violin, Andrew Thornton from Dingwall Academy on trombone, Zoe Allen from Kingussie High School on violin & piano, Tacita Angell from Ullapool High School on piano and Elsie Hutchison from Inverness Royal Academy on trombone. The competition’s two runners-up were Sam Jones from Inverness on violin and Beth Hutchison from Inverness Royal Academy on trumpet.
Speaking following the event, High Life Highland’s Head of Music Development, Norman Bolton said, “Today was a real celebration of some of the best young musicians from across Highland. Without exception, they all played to an extremely high standard.
“The quality of music we heard at the competition is only made possible through the absolute hard work and commitment first-and-foremostly by the pupils themselves. However, there are also a lot of people around who support them on their journey from family and friends, private tutors or our very own High Life Highland music instructors across the whole Highland area.”
The judging panel at the event included three well-respected music professionals – Pauline Black from University of Aberdeen; Anna Massie, musician, presenter & producer and Alexander Davidson, Head of Instrumental Music & performance at Moray Council.
In giving feedback to the performers prior to announcing the winner, Anna Massie said, “The judges have had the pleasure of experiencing a range of top-quality performances this afternoon and it is clear that all performers have worked tirelessly, making the most of the teaching received and support given to music education from High Life Highland.”
Norman Bolton, Head of Music Development for High Life Highland concluded, “The Highland Archive Centre is a wonderful location, with the venue only adding to the incredible music that was played by all our Highland Young Musicians. Although there can only be one winner, all performers should be exceptionally proud of participating today, and for the high quality of their performances.”
Fin Young will represent Highland at the Scottish Young Musician of the Year at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow on 19th May.
