Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year

The Scotsman 2022-02-03

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Young Marimba Player Akshar Abdullah, S5 pupil from All Saints RC Secondary School, is announced as Glasgow champion and the first competitor to be confirmed for the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year final


Today at City Halls, solo musicians from primary and secondary schools across Glasgow competed for a spot in the Scottish Young Musicians final which will take place on 29 May this year in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. All schools in Glasgow were invited to take part, and a total of 4 primary and 15 secondary schools were involved in the local final, with 22 young people performing.

Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year is a new Scotland-wide music competition launched by The Music Education Partnership Group, Scotland’s only music competition where funding and expertise is offered to every school and Local Authority, giving all pupils in the country the chance to take part.

Following a string of excellent live performances at City Halls, 16-year-old Akshar Abdullah from All Saints RC Secondary School was announced as the winner by adjudicator Gerry Doherty. He performed IV) Despedida (Farewell) – Rosauro Concerto for Marimba on Marimba and gave a masterful performance. In second place was Elina Purina, S5 pianist from Holyrood Secondary School, and Allie McEwan, S5 singer from St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School, was awarded third place.

Gerry Doherty, who judged the final, is a former Bellarmine pupil who studied at RSAMD, was a violinist with RSNO for 30 years, has conducted the Glasgow Schools' Symphony Orchestra and has worked as a music instructor throughout his career. The accompanist for the afternoon was Cameron Murdoch, an Instrumental Music Instructor with Glasgow CREATE and RCS Juniors, former BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist and conductor of the Glasgow Phoenix Choir.

The next step of the competition takes Akshar to the Royal Conservatoire to compete in the national final in May. The overall winner of the National competition will receive a stunning sculpture by Alexander Stoddart of the Maid of Morven playing the Clarsach, as well as the opportunity to work, play and learn with some world class musicians with links to music colleges for future considerations of a career in music.

The majority of Local Authorities across Scotland are also taking part in the competition, with many more hosting local finals in the coming months to determine who will represent their area in the national final.

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