Drumroll for the Young Musicians Competition 2023

GEORGE NEWS - It's time to tune your strings and strike a chord, because the Young Musicians Competition 2023 is around the corner.

The musical youths in George and surrounding areas will audition on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 and 10 May, at the George Arts Theatre in York Street.

Highly experienced adjudicators will select the best of the best to perform at a gala concert on Friday 9 June at the Arts Theatre. The winners will receive their accolades and cash prizes at this prestigious event.

Opportunity

"This competition was first introduced by the George Music Society in 1985 and has given many successful musicians a great opportunity to share their talent with a discerning audience," said organiser Sandra Tilbrook.

"The goal is to create a platform for music learners in George and the Garden Route area to encourage and nurture talented and hard-working young musicians."

All school-going music learners may enter, either through their school or private teachers. The competition is divided into a junior division for primary school children and a senior division for high school learners.

There are trophies for best string instrumentalists as well as for best vocalists, including best senior vocalist, best classical vocalist and best modern vocalist. There are also trophies for best junior recorder, junior trophy for best flautist, as well as a senior flautist trophy.

Other trophies include best junior pianist, best senior pianist and also best saxophonist or brass instrument. To support all the participants, more awards are created every year as the competition grows.

"We always welcome donations from businesses as well as the public to be able to expand the competition even more," said Tilbrook.

Groups are also welcome to audition and for them there are trophies for the best duet or trio, and three trophies for best ensembles. Special trophies are awarded for music excellence as well as for the most versatile participant.

The highest accolades are awarded in the form of First Junior trophy with a cash prize and Second Junior winner with a cash prize. In the high school division, the ultimate winner is awarded the First Senior trophy with a cash prize, while the Second Senior performer wins a cash prize.

For more information and for entry forms, send an e-mail to youngmusicianscompetition@gmail.com. Find them on Facebook at George Music Society.

Happy memories from last year's YMC: Lynette Petersen, coach of the Outeniqua Jazz Band (front) and the talented young musicians. At the back are Monicke van der Walt, Marno van Sandwyk, Jean du Plessis, Ryan Munro and Henco Bester. In front are Nicklen Gelderbloem and Logan Jantjies.