Enjoy a little night music as pupils from city schools compete in the finals of the Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year 2025 competition at the Cowdray Hall later this month (24/25 March 2025).
The annual contest is held in partnership with the Scottish Young Musicians competition, which is open to all young musicians who go to school in Scotland, whatever standard or age.
For the third year running, Aberdeen City Council’s Music Service has organised the local competition, which has two categories:
- Junior – open to pupils in Year Three at Secondary School and below.
- Senior – open to pupils in Year Four to Year Six at Secondary School.
More than 120 Aberdeen pupils auditioned for the first round of the competition in January 2025. The judges, who were Music Service staff, selected 12 Junior pupils and 12 Senior pupils to go forward to the finals.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Congratulations to all the young musicians who have made it through to the finals of Aberdeen Young Musician of the Year 2025. The Cowdray Hall is a wonderful venue with its superb acoustics.
“I would encourage everyone to show their support to our up-and-coming young musicians and enjoy a wonderful evening of music and song.”
Alan Kerr, Chair, of the Scottish Young Musicians competition, said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen continues to generate such extraordinary talent and have no doubt that the Aberdeen final will be thrilling.
“The winner will go on to showcase their skills at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Young Musician of the Year fourth national final on the 25th of May at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.”
Aberdeen Young Musician 2025 – Junior Final
- 7pm until approx. 9.30pm on Monday 24 March, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JQ.
Aberdeen Young Musician 2025 – Senior Final
- 7pm until approx. 9.30pm on Tuesday 25 March, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1JQ.
Entry to the finals is FREE
and unticketed.
The finalists will perform to a panel of external judges, Jenna Main, regional development executive, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music; Craig McDermott, head teacher, Northfield Academy; and Clara-Jane Maunder, emerging composer and violinist from Aberdeen.
The judges will also select a ‘regional’ finalist who will represent Aberdeen at the Scottish Young Musicians competition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 25 May.