Two pupils from St Mary’s Music School are through to the next round of auditions of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020. Sofia (accordion) and Shakira (cello) took part in the first round of auditions in Glasgow and are now through to the next stage which will take place in Cardiff. They will compete against around 125 other young musicians in the Category Auditions. Five performers from each category will be selected to go through to the Category Finals.
The competition is extremely challenging. In 2018 more than 450 musicians entered and this year’s winner will need to excel in five competitive rounds over several months.
Sofia (16) who is originally from Spain and has been studying at St Mary’s Music School since 2016 said “The competition is really high so I’m so excited to get through to the next stage and I’m really looking forward to going to Cardiff in December. “ Shakira (15) who is from Edinburgh has been at St Mary’s Music School since 2017 and said “I was really surprised to hear I got through and proud to be representing the School. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
Now in its 41st year, the competition has a long track record of serving as a launch pad for extremely successful careers. Young musician alumni include Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti, Natalie Clein, Michael Collins, Colin Currie, Nicholas Daniel, Benjamin Grosvenor, Stephen Hough, Freddy Kempf, Jennifer Pike and Paul Watkins.
Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher at St Mary’s Music School said “We are delighted that two of our pupils have successfully reached the next round of BBC Young Musician of the Year, in two different categories. It is testament not only to their own talent and dedication but also to the calibre of our teachers here at St Mary’s Music School. We will be rooting for them and wish them every success for the next stage.”
The search for the next BBC Young Musician will reach its conclusion on 10 May 2020 when three musicians will perform a full concerto with a professional orchestra at the Grand Final.