THE 20th anniversary of the Warrington Competition for Young Musicians launches this Sunday with a piano heat and masterclass.
The heats and final will be held at Arley Hall between January and March as part of a search for some of the area’s most promising emerging talent.
Although there is a competitive element, and an eventual winner, the main aim is to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence of young musicians.
The competition, which is open to musicians under 19 in Cheshire, Merseyside and parts of Greater Manchester, is held every two years and the 2018 event has received a record number of entries.
New for this year is a separate ensemble competition which has attracted two ensembles from Lymm and Macclesfield.
Organiser Norman Cutter, chairman of WACIDOM (Warrington Arts Council Initiative for the Development of Music) said: “Professional musicians including Leon McCawley, Catherine Yates, Tom Osborne and Chris Swann will adjudicate and give master classes at the heats following a platform and presentation skills workshop held by the internationally renowned theatre and opera director, Caroline Clegg”.
Sunday’s piano heat will be followed by the string heat on January 21, brass and percussion heat and ensemble competition on February 11 and voice heat on February 18 before the final on March 18.
All stages of the competition will take place at Arley Hall and there is no charge for attending the heats but tickets for the final cost £10.
WACIDOM was formed in 1994 to find ways to support and encourage music making in Warrington and the surrounding area.
It has since funded several series of recitals at various venues in Warrington to provide a platform for musicians of all levels of ability – but especially young musicians.
The Warrington Competition for Young Musicians was launched by the group in 1998 and has been held every two years since.
The previous winner was Solomon-Miles Donnelly, who attended Chetham’s School of Music.
n For further details about the Warrington Competition for Young Musicians ring 265146, 762517 or visit musicinwarrington.org.uk
DAVID MORGAN
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