Shetland-Music.com

Update - Friday March 23rd: Read the full review in the Shetland Times

Last night (Thursday 12th March) saw the final of the 2009 Young Musician of the Year competition, part of the Shetland Schools Music Festival. The winners were vocalist Erin Sandison in the senior category and pianist and violin player Sophie Wishart in the junior category.

The competition consisted of each finalist playing a selection of pieces in front of visiting adjudicator Eric Tebbett and a large audience in Lerwick's Town Hall. Mr Tebbet, one of Britain's leading music teachers, then gave constructive feedback to the performers before announcing the overall winners.

There will be another chance to see the finalists and many other highlights from this years Schools Music Festival at the Gala Concert in the Clickimin Centre tonight (Friday 13th March). Tickets are available from the Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Centre, Lerwick - 01595 745 555

2009 Senior Young Musician of the Year Competition finalists

The senior category finalists were selected based on their earlier performances during the music festival. There was originally intended to be 8 finalists, but Mr Tebbet noted that the sheer quantity and quality of performances over the previous days meant he was unable to narrow the field down to less than 10:

• Calum Leask - Anderson High School - Alto Saxophone
• Lana Thomson - Anderson High School - Piano
• Mairi Coutts - Anderson High School - Vocal
• Matthew Scollay - Anderson High School - Piano
• Callum Nicolson - Anderson High School - Accordian
• Harry Whitham - Anderson High School - Vocal
• Scott Leask - Anderson High School - Alto Saxaphone
• Miriam Veenhuizen - Aith Junior High School - Recorder
• Erin Sandison - Anderson High School - Vocal
• Chapman Cheng - Anderson High School - Violin

2009 Junior Young Musician of the Year Competition finalists

The junior category finalists were nominated by their music teachers and selected by committee prior to the competition:

• Sophie Wishart - Cunningsburgh Primary School - Piano
• Hannah Adamson - Cunningsburgh Primary School - Violin
• Callum Irvine - Whalsay Junior High School - Accordian
• Sophie Wishart - Cunningsburgh Primary School - Violin
• Jonathon Hunter - Whiteness Primary School - Piano

Full report on the 2009 Schools Music Festival to follow....