2025 competitions
Information on each of the competitions
Solo Instrumental, Singing, Composition, Ensemble & Scottish Young Musicians
can be found below.
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The competitions are open to any young person schooled in the Western Isles
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Please make sure that you have read the full competition guidance, contained within each entry form, prior to submitting your entry
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A fee is payable for each entry (£2 for individual entries, £3 for ensemble entries)
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Please note that the closing date for applications is Monday 3rd February 2025
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No alterations or additions can be made to entries after publication of the timetable of events 2 weeks before the competition date
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One copy of the music to be performed must be provided for the adjudicators on the day of the competition
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Competitors in the instrumental and singing competitions requiring an accompanist are requested to arrange this themselves, however if you are having difficulties sourcing an accompanist please contact us
Young Musician of the Year - Solo instrumental
Entries are invited from solo instrumentalists in the following classes -
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Piano (including accordion)
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Strings
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Brass
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Woodwind
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Percussion
Primary and Junior competitors should prepare one piece for performance in the heats and the class winners will repeat the performance of this piece at the evening competition.
Senior Competitors must prepare two contrasting pieces for presentation.
Only one piece will be performed in the heats and the winner of each class will be expected to play both pieces in the final round.
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Full guidance is available here
The online entry form can be found here
Young Musician of the Year - composition
This is one Class open to anyone of school age.
The piece submitted must be original and the work of the competitor.
All entries are to be performed live at the competition. The competitor should arrange for a performance of the piece if it is for a solo instrument, or if it is computer generated.
If it is for more than one instrument guidance should be requested from the organisers of the competition at westernislesyoungmusician@gmail.com
The piece should be of no longer than 5 minutes duration.
A copy of the piece must be provided for the adjudicators.
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Full guidance is available here
The online entry form can be found here
Young Singer of the Year
Entries are invited from singers in the three age groups Primary, Junior (S1-3) & Senior (S4-6).
Primary and Junior competitors should prepare one song for performance in the heats and the class winners will repeat the performance of this song at the evening competition.
Senior Competitors must prepare two contrasting pieces for presentation.
Only one piece will be performed in the heats and the winner of each class will be expected to play both pieces in the final round.
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Full guidance is available here
The online entry form can be found here
Young ensemble of the year
Entries are invited from ensembles of 2 - 6 players in the three age groups Primary, Junior (S1-3) & Senior (S4-6).
All ensembles should prepare one piece.
The winning ensemble in each category will be asked to perform at the evening event.
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Full guidance is available here
The online entry form can be found here
Scottish Young Musicians
One representative from the Western Isles Young Musician of the Year will automatically be entered into the national Scottish Young Musicians event. This event brings together winners from each local authority area across Scotland and is organised and run by the Music Education Partnership Group
The Scottish Young Musicians event will take place on Sunday 25th May 2025 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow and the event organisers will cover the costs for our winner and a chaperone to participate, including flights and accommodation.
More information on Scottish Young Musicians can be found on their website by clicking on the SYM logo on the left.