Instrumentalist of the World Competition to launch with concert showcase

New international classical music competition, Instrumentalist of the World, will launch this month with a concert at Sussex’s waterfront De La Warr Pavilion. The concert will feature concerto performances by saxophonist Amy Dickson, guitarist Plínio Fernandes and violinist Laure Chan accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra led by conductor Anna-Maria Helsing and presenter Linton Stephens

The new concert launches the Instrumentalist of the World charity ahead of its inaugural competition in October 2025, which will welcome solo instrumentalists (excluding piano) from around the world to compete for a £10,000 prize and concert engagements in the UK and across Europe. Presenter Linton Stephens will be on the competition jury alongside former director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Paul Hughes and head of keyboard and associate director of partnerships in Asia at the Royal College of Music Professor Vanessa Latarche. Two further judges will be announced in the autumn.

Instrumentalist of the World is the brainchild of veteran classical music competition, festival producer and director Ian Roberts, who said: ‘I am thrilled that our charity is able to launch the competition with an exciting concert featuring 3 of the world’s finest young classical artists. Our aim in launching the competition is to provide world-class performances on the south coast of England, so that children and young people and audiences of any age, can experience amazing artistry without having to travel to the capital, whilst at the same time raising funds to support our goal of creating an exceptional music education programme for local children and providing free tickets to our competition, so that they can experience the magic of classical music for free.’

Having led the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition charity for several years and worked with respected music artists, ensembles, festivals and record labels, Roberts brings a wealth of experience to his new venture. Alongside the competition, the charity will also produce a programme of music education for children and young people and offer world class classical music experiences for the British coastal communities.