Music / Classical Music
BBC Young Musicians battle it out in Bristol
It’s a bumper season for the Beacon as the cream of the classical crop rolls into town to grace its stages once again.
Following the Proms residency in August that featured performances from the outstanding Paraorchestra, Southbank Sinfonia and Evelyn Glennie, on Tuesday the venue will host the talent of the future in the grand final of the BBC Young Musician 2024 contest.
“It’s a real showcase of the extraordinary talent of the next generation of classical – the stars of the future that we’ll probably hear about for years to come,” Adam Kent, the Beacon’s creative learning and engagement director, told Bristol24/7. “It’s really exciting for us to be a part of that.”
is needed now More than ever
The three young musicians competing for the 2024 crown – whittled down from a shortlist of 50 picked from hundreds of submissions from across the UK – will perform a concerto accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with the event hosted by saxophonist and presenter Jess Gillam.
The last competition, in 2022, was won by 19-year-old percussionist Jordan Ashman – photo: Dan Prince
The biennial contest, which has been running since 1978, has launched the careers of international artists including Grammy-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti, clarinettist and award-winning composer Mark Simpson, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason – the first Black musician to win the contest, in 2016 – and pianist Martin James Bartlett.
The contest aligns with the Beacon’s mission to support young musicians, said Kent:
“We’re inviting lots of school pupils and young musicians to come along and see those young people on stage. Whether they’re actually going to have a professional career or just a lifelong love of music, that’s a big part of who we are.”
Adam Kent, who leads on the Beacon’s creative learning and engagement programmes, says nurturing young people’s interest in music is core to their mission – photo: Bristol Beacon
With BBC support, they are holding a showcase of some of the young musicians in their education programmes – which includes tuition, wellbeing and next steps career development – before the competition final, that Kent says will comprise a ‘mini festival’.
The Bristol National Open Youth Orchestra ensemble of Disabled musicians will perform, as well as songwriters, music producers and MCs from the Beacon’s Next Level programme, members of their community music and care leavers programmes, and players from the Cathedral Schools Trust.
It’s part of the Beacon’s concerted efforts to increase access to music – of any genre – for children, as exemplified in the recent deep sea-themed CBeebies concert as part of the Proms residency which featured Kwamé Ryan, the Southbank Sinfonia and Andy Day.
“Music’s a really important part of many people’s lives. Music education is great for other subjects like maths or English – lots of studies show it improves other learning in school,” Kent explained.
“But also, performing on stage is brilliant for confidence, and music is a brilliant way of developing creativity – a skill we need in the future workforce, whatever area of work we’re looking at.
The Beacon filled up with families for the ocean-themed CBeebies Prom, part of the BBC Proms residency in August and the Beacons’ efforts to instil an interest in music at a young age – photo: Giulia Spadafora
“And the mental health crisis for children, young people and young adults after Covid – music is a great unifying force. Singing increases endorphins – there are so many different benefits in terms of health, wellbeing, our resilience, as well as it being part of our culture and how we express ourselves.”
While the competition will doubtless inspire aspirational young classical musicians who want to take their playing to the next level, it’s not just about that Kent added.
“It’s great if people want to do that and we’ll be here to support that if they do – but it’s also about how can we help them in their relationship with music, whatever form that relationship takes and whether it’s classical or any other genre. That is what we’re here for,” he said.
Judges Alexis Ffrench, Alison Balsom and Hannah Catherine Jones are responsible for selecting the winner from the three young finalists – photo: Betsan Evans
The finalists cannot be named until the concert is broadcast on BBC 2 on October 20 but judge Hannah Catherine Jones told Bristol24/7 viewers are in for a treat.
“It’s overwhelming how talented the young musicians who’ve made it onto this year’s show are and I’ve already been moved to tears a few times!” she said.
“I hope all the young folks – and people of any age – watching at home are compelled to keep making music on whatever level you’re at – or to try it if you never have! There’s so much joy in the thing we call classical music and it really is for everyone. I’m expecting a very emotional final.”
Tickets are still available to watch the performance live on Tuesday at www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/bbc-young-musician-grand-final-2024
Main image: Paul Underhill
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