BBC Young Musician replaces instrument categories with regions
Michael Pearce
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The move is among several changes ‘designed to make the competition easier to enter, more sustainable and a more rewarding experience for our musicians and audiences’.
Dan Prince / BBC
BBC Young Musician will categorise entrants by geographical area rather than instrumental family as part of a new format for 2024.
The biennial competition will begin with a new round of digital auditions, requiring applicants to send in a video of a performance of up to 10 minutes’ duration plus a shorter clip introducing themselves.
According to the 2024 entry brochure: ‘The new structure means less travel for everyone, increasing sustainability, and requires less time out of school for those involved.’
The two best musicians from eight regions will then progress to the live auditions, joined by 34 others selected irrespective of region.
‘By switching from instrumental categories to geographical areas, we’re looking to celebrate talent from all over the UK and increase participation from regions that are typically underrepresented at BBC Young Musician’, the entry brochure reads.
‘We will also have more flexibility to programme varied and exciting concerts for our live and TV audiences. We aim to reflect the universality of music, bringing musicians together, creating lasting friendships and learning opportunities for everyone.’
The former category finals will be replaced by two quarter-finals, each featuring six musicians on a range of instruments.
The winner of each quarter final will join four ‘judges’ wildcards’ in the semi-final, with three musicians advancing to the grand final. As in previous years, the grand finalists will perform a complete concerto with orchestra.
Another change sees the upper age limit – previously 18 or under on 1 January of the competition year – lowered by four months to remove the eligibility of younger first-year undergraduates.
‘We felt that first year undergraduates had a significant advantage over those still at school, so have slightly reduced the maximum age to create more of a level playing field’, the entry brochure reads.
The grand final will also feature on BBC Two for the first time since 2012 as a highlights programme, with the complete concert broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3.
Suzy Klein, head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV said: ‘I am delighted to have BBC Young Musician making a welcome return to BBC Two next year. Since 1978 Young Musician has offered a platform to the brightest and best of this country’s young classical performers.
'This year we’ve changed how easy it is for people to enter, making it the most accessible, sustainable and democratic competition we’ve staged so far. Shining a light on different geographical regions allows us to showcase the best young classical talent from across the UK and I can’t wait to see the results.’
The closing date for applications is 12 January 2024, with live auditions set to take place in April 2024.
Entrants for the 2024 competition must be born on or after 1 September 2005.
