Essex Young Musician of the Year returns for 40th anniversary competition

The 2024 Essex Young Musician of the Year competition has this week been launched by Ongar Music Club. Marking its 40^th edition since its launch in 1984, the competition is open to musicians under 28 years of age born, living or educated in Essex and offers a cash prize of £1,000.

Singers and instrumentalists of all types (except organists due to the lack of a suitable instrument) are invited to apply for the competition by 31 May. Selected competitors will compete in a preliminary round on 30 June, then a semifinal round on 7 July before four candidates proceed to the final held later that evening. All rounds will be held in the Budworth Hall, Ongar and open to the public.

Candidates will complete for the first prize which will include a cash prize as well as the Essex Young Musician of the Year trophy and offers of various paid recital engagements. The competition jury (set to be announced in early June) will also choose the recipient of the Essex Music Scholar of the Year Award for performers under nineteen. The winner will receive a trophy and £200 for ‘the advancement of their musical studies’.

Established in 1984 by the Ongar Music Club and supported by club president and pianist John Lill, the Essex Young Musician of the Year competition aims to ‘support and encourage young Essex musicians of talent and potential’. This year the competition has made two discretionary bursaries available to cover the competition entry fee and remove financial barriers for potential candidates.