music changes young people’s lives
STAFFORDSHIRE YOUNG MUSICIAN
Staffordshire Young Musician of the Year competitions for Instrumentalists, Singers and Composers showcase musical talent. They are organised each year by Entrust Music Service Staffordshire and supported financially by the Friends of Staffordshire Young Musicians. FOSYM’s support over the years has been vital in encouraging and celebrating 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 led to further opportunities. FOSYM keeps in touch with many past winners and follows their careers with great interest.
Staffordshire Young Musician Competition 2025 took place on 12th and 13th July. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thanks to all who took part. The performances were outstanding!
For more details of how to apply for future competitions contact the Music Service on musicservice@entrust.co.uk.
DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT OR SING? – then why not enter Staffordshire Young Musicians Competition 2026! All ages and musical abilities can take part.
First Round Young Musician 2026 – Entry – Recording Deadline 25th March 2026 (Composers 22nd May)
Finals take place at Entrust, Riverway, Stafford on:
11th July 2026 (Singers and Composers) and 12th July (Instrumentalists) at
For more details of how to apply contact the Music Service on musicservice@entrust.co.uk.
Staffordshire Young Musician’s Competition report 2025
This year over 190 entries were received for the first round!
- Performances for the first round are recorded at home by the young people and submitted electronically.
- Several specialist Music Service adjudicators provided helpful and positive feedback for all performers.
- Forty-two entrants were put through to the final.
- This was held on 12th (Singers and Composers) and 13th July (Instrumentalists) at Riverway, Stafford. Singers performed on Saturday and Instrumentalists on Sunday.
The Staffordshire Competition for Young Composers entries were received from all age groups. Composers used a variety of creative instrumental and vocal styles, notations, instrumentations, and lengths of piece.
The Final was a wonderful opportunity for young musicians, across a wide range of instruments and music styles, to perform to a supportive and excited audience of families, teachers and music service staff.
The adjudicators at the Final, Nico de Villiers (Vocal), Michael Fowles (instrumental) and Steve Willey (Composer), offered supportive comments and constructive feedback, to inspire the young musicians to continue their musical journey into the future.
Each winner received a cash prize and an award from FOSYM, and every finalist received a gift voucher.
Congratulations and thanks to all who took part, their teachers, accompanists and families.
STAFFORDSHIRE YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2025 ARE:
SENIOR SINGER
Evie Watson
Senior Singer – Winner 2025
Intermediate Singer
Maria Kelly
Intermediate Singer – Winner 2025
Junior Singer
Porsha Stanford
Junior Singer – Winner 2025
Senior Instrumentalist
Ailish Steele
Senior Instrumentalist – Winner 2025
Intermediate Instrumentalist
Ryan Bailey
Intermediate Instrumentalist – Winner 2025
Junior Instrumentalist
Zoe Zhang
Junior Instrumentalist – Winner 2025
COMPOSER (VOCAL) Winner
Rory Black
COMPOSER (VOCAL) Winner 2025
COMPOSER (INSTRUMENTAL) Winner
James Smith
COMPOSER (INSTRUMENTAL) Winner 2025
Memories from 2023 and 2024
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
