Euan Kemp, winner of Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year 2024

Euan Kemp, winner of Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year 2024, said: “I feel amazing having won this competition and honoured to have represented East Dunbartonshire and Douglas Academy.

“I’ve been making music in East Dunbartonshire for the whole of my musical career, starting with the children’s chorus in P2 and then growing through playing in orchestras and ensembles both in school and the wider Local Authority. It’s such a nurturing, supportive and enjoyable environment to be a part of and I’m proud to bring this trophy home to them.”

Euan receives £1,000 to spend on furthering his musical career and the Maid of Morven trophy made by the Kings’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland Alexander Stoddart FRSE.

Euan also receives a package of opportunities provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland including a coaching session, participation in a masterclass and a studio recording session.

Jake Johnstone, who left audiences enthralled with his accordion pieces which were accompanied by his younger sister on the piano, and Magnus Shanks, who wowed with his piano performance, both receive £250 to spend on musical activities and a coaching session and masterclass slot at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

For the first time this year the winner of each of the other categories was announced live at the end of the final. Hannah Pringle from Stirling won the strings category, Thomas Lamb from Clackmannanshire won in brass, Amelia Leishman representing Edinburgh won for percussion, and East Ayrshire’s Aimee Sharp was announced as the winner of the vocal category. They will each be awarded career-enhancing experiences thanks to the generosity of some of the UK’s top music organisations.

The panel of judges was led by trumpeter John Wallace CBE, former Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He was joined by soprano Jane Irwin, violinist Greg Lawon, clarinettist Adam Lee and pianist Sinae Lee. They had the difficult job of selecting the winner and two runners up from performances on a range of instruments including saxophone, clarsach, accordion, guitar, pipes, trumpet and more.

The day culminated in performances by the winning Scottish Young Musicians Brass Ensemble of the Year Campbeltown Brass Ensemble and Ensemble of the Year, Belmont Academy Woodwind Ensemble from South Ayrshire.

Alan Kerr, Chair of Scottish Young Musicians, said: “Today we’ve seen 31 incredibly affecting performances from young people representing 99% of Scotland’s school-aged population.

“The standard of performances has been extraordinarily high and we’ve seen some very emotional playing that has left our audience, and adjudicators, absolutely enthralled.

“The final is the culmination of individual school and local authority competitions. While today we witnessed some of our most gifted musicians, the festival’s aim is to encourage the broadest participation of all talents through all communities.

“Credit goes to the enthusiasm of teacher