Deadline fast approaching for entries to NI Young Musician of the Year

Open to entrants from all corners of Northern Ireland, the competition is for solo instrumentalists aged 12-16 years inclusive, and singers aged 12-18 years inclusive. The entry forms have been out since November last and secondary-level schools and colleges throughout Northern Ireland have received communication about the competition through the music advisors in their respective educational and library boards. However, if anyone wishing to compete has not yet received a form or rules they can be downloaded from www.comberrotary.org or by direct request to rdanderson1@btinternet.com.

The competition, sponsored by business advisors PricewaterhouseCoopers, has been organised for the past 18 years by the Rotary Club of Comber. Over this period it has attracted young vocalists and instrumentalists from all over Northern Ireland across a wide range of disciplines and talents.  Among the winners have been flautists, pianists, percussionists, singers, violinists, cellists, a guitarist and a euphonium player. For many, the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year contest has been their first major step on their road to a professional music career. A by-product of the competition is that it has enabled the Rotary Club of Comber to raise more than £80,000 for local charities – in recent years for the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust and the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, and in its early days for the NSPCC.

Duggie Anderson, founder and primary organiser of the event said: ”As well as providing a valuable platform for young musicians to gain competition experience, this well-established contest is an opportunity for our club to raise some badly needed funds for two very deserving local charities – particularly those helping young people and their families. Entries at this stage for 2010 have set an all-time record and we are still hoping to attract the biggest number yet before the end of the month.”

Managing Partner, Hugh Crossey, from sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers, says: “Once again we are delighted to be associated with this well-established event in the musical calendar. The quality and standard of the talent displayed by the competitors speaks not only of their dedication, but of the commitment and support of their teachers and parents. These young performers are a credit to themselves, their families and to Northern Ireland.”

Contact details
Email: John Compton
Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 5454