After a day of performance from over 100 students competing in the heats, Mr Bradbury, Director of Music at Royal High School Bath, introduced 9 exceptional finalists for an evening recital in our Steinway Music School.

The students – all winners of their individual categories – showed their amazing talents including classical and contemporary pieces. The standard was extremely high in this year's Young Musician of the Year competition, with Emma earning the title of Junior Young Musician of the Year for her violin performance of Fiocco’s Allegro, and Mia being crowned Senior Young Musician of the Year for her violin performance of Moffat’s Intrada. Ensemble Winners were Mia and Yannes for their performance of Sonata in D by Mozart.

The event was adjudicated by Louise Clare Marshall, hugely successful vocalist who has worked with Beverley Knight, David Gilmour, Michael Ball, Marti Pellow, Chris Difford, Robbie Williams, Bryan Ferry, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison, Eric Stewart, Madeline Bell, Sheila Ferguson, Sam Brown, Russell Watson, Steve Winwood, Paul Young, Don Blackman, Solomon Burke, Karl Jenkins and John Rutter, to name but a few. Whether performing on tour with BBC’s Jools Holland or Roxy Music, playing piano, performing with The BBC Big Band singing Ella Fitzgerald or Aretha Franklin’s American Songbook, Louise’s sonic skills span across genres: Jazz, Pop, R&B, Electronic, Classical or Gospel music.

Louise’s thoughtful feedback for each individual performer was truly inspirational and uplifting. She spoke about the importance of music in absolutely everything in life, and gave advice on preparing for performance, before beginning the piece, to breathe and visualise the first note. The girls were thrilled to have met and gained tips from this industry expert.