music changes young people’s lives
STAFFORDSHIRE YOUNG MUSICIAN
Friends of Staffordshire’s Young Musicians supports the annual Staffordshire Young Musician competitions both financially and with volunteer help. The competitions are for Instrumentalists, Singers and Composers to showcase their musical talent, organised each year by Entrust Music Service Staffordshire.
FOSYM’s support over the years has been vital in providing an opportunity to encourage and celebrate the hard work and achievement of young people in their music-making.
Those that win the coveted title of ‘Staffordshire Young Musician’ report how being part of the events has inspired them and given them confidence at a vital stage in their musical journey. It has also opened up further opportunities. FOSYM keeps in touch with many past winners and follows their careers with great interest.
Staffordshire Young Musician Competition 2024 took place on 13th and 14th July this year. We would like to congratulate this years winners and all who took part on their outstanding performances.
For more details of how to apply for future competitions contact the Music Service on musicservice@entrust.co.uk.
SENIOR, INTERMEDIATE and JUNIOR INSTRUMENTALISTS, SINGERS and COMPOSERS COMPETITION 2024
Report on the 2024 event
The planning started back in the Autumn term, and when applications for Round 1 opened in the Spring a staggering 190 entries were received! Performances for the first round were recorded at home by the young people and submitted electronically. Several specialist Music Service adjudicators provided helpful and positive feedback for all performers and whittled down the entrants to 42 finalists.
The Final was held over the weekend of 13th and 14th July at Riverway, Stafford, where Singers performed on Saturday and Instrumentalists on Sunday. This was an excellent opportunity for the young musicians to perform to a supportive and excited audience of families, teachers and music service staff. All categories of the Competition saw a wide range of instruments and voice types represented.
The performances were excellent, with well-chosen and interesting programmes which resulted in a most enjoyable event. The adjudicators were Jonathan Gill (Vocal), Simone Rebello (Instrumental) and Steve Willey (Composer). They offered supportive comments and constructive feedback, which hopefully inspires the young musicians to continue their musical journey.
Each winner received a cash prize and an award from FOSYM, and every finalist received a gift voucher.
The Staffordshire Competition for Young Composers was hugely successful and entries were received across all age groups. There was a variety of creative styles, notations, instrumentations, works for voice and lengths of piece. This strand of the competition is growing as we work closely with staff in schools to improve skills and knowledge.
Congratulations to all that took part in both the first round and the Final, the teachers, accompanists and all the families for their support.
SENIOR, INTERMEDIATE and JUNIOR INSTRUMENTALISTS, SINGERS and COMPOSERS 2024 Winners are:
Junior Instrumentalist
Zongze Li (Piano)
Junior Instrumentalist – Winner 2024
Zongze Li is a Year 5 student at Chase Grammar School. He started playing piano at six and passed ABRSM Piano Grade 8 with Distinction at age ten.
He has been active and won in public music competitions in local and regional scale including Rotary Young Musician, Music Festival at Dudley, Northfield and Birmingham. He also enjoys playing in charity concerts, helping to raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Intermediate Instrumentalist
Ed Pilsel (Violin)
Intermediate Instrumentalist – Winner 2024
Ed Pilsel is 14 and is in Year 9 at Endon High School in Stoke-on-Trent. He has been playing the violin for 6 years and studies under Janet Fuest on Saturdays at Junior RNCM.
Ed also enjoys playing the piano and playing in chamber ensembles and orchestras. At home, he loves playing on his Xbox, watching films and documentaries and listening to music on his record player.
Senior Instrumentalist
Ellen Farmer (Trumpet)
Senior Instrumentalist – Winner 2024
Ellen began to play the cornet at the age of seven at her church (The Salvation Army) and made the move to trumpet four years later. She has been fortunate to have opportunities to perform in a range of ensembles including The Salvation Army National Youth Band, Orchestra of the Swan Youth Orchestra, Cannock Music Centre Wind Band and Big Band and was the principal trumpet in the Staffordshire Youth Wind Band earlier this year.
Ellen is currently studying for her A levels at Stafford Grammar school and is looking forward to performing as part of the Staffordshire Young Musician’s Final here today. Ellen would like to thank her teacher Mr Stringer, who has taught her since she started playing and James Maddison for accompanying her today.
Junior Vocal
Maria Kelly
Junior Young Singer – Winner 2024
My name is Maria Kelly. I’m 11 years old and I attend Christchurch Academy in Stone, where I have singing, violin and guitar lessons.
I am currently part of the school choir, Stone Stringers and the Ukulele club. Outside of school I attend dancing and acting lessons which I love.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I love that you can put songs to memories and it’s a brilliant way to express yourself and your emotions.
My aspirations for the future are to be on stage performing and to teach people to perform and play music.
Intermediate VOCAL
Joel Tennant
Intermediate Young Singer – Winner 2024
Joel Tennant is 12 years old and attends Walton High School.
He is managed by Stagebox and undertakes their musical theatre training. He is part of MYTS and will soon be starring as Spongebob Squarepants at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. Joel is playing Pugsley in his school production of Addams Family. He has previously performed in Wind in the Willows and We Will Rock You with MYTS.
Joel loves to perform and sing. He recently competed in the grand final of West End Calling in London on a West End Stage.
SENIOR VOCAL
Chloe Simpson
Senior Young Singer – Winner 2024
My name is Chloe Simpson, I am a fifteen year old student attending Endon High School and Amadeus Music Academy. I have enjoyed music and the arts all my life and have sung in many talent competitions over the past ten years.
At school I am involved in the school choir, have played leading roles in the school’s annual musical productions (Annie & Oklahoma) and have had solos at the summer and winter concerts. I have repeatedly been invited to sing at Remembrance Day commemorations and Endon Well Dressing plus, this year, at the 80th D-day landings celebrations in Endon Village. I have also performed at several local music festivals and venues to broaden my experience.
My other interests include art, drama and history, all of which I have specialised in when doing my GCSE courses. Music will forever hold a passionate influence over my life, and I look forward to pursuing it in the future.
Composer / Song writer Winner
Joseph Davis
Composer/Song writer Winner 2024
Composer Instrumental Winner
Emma Beggs
Composer Instrumental Winner 2024
Memories from 2023
