Young musicians ready for final appearance

May 3 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

WALES is preparing to host the BBC Young Musician of the Year for the first time next weekend as the event celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Musicians and their supporters are already arriving ahead of the two-day event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from next Saturday.

On Saturday, each of the five grand finalists (to be announced from Monday on BBC Four) will play their chosen concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and principal conductor Thierry Fischer, in front of the judging panel and a live audience.

The £2,000 Tabor Award for Promising Talent will also be presented to one of the competitors chosen from across the category finalists, along with the £1,000 Walter Todds Bursary, given in memory of the founder of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

BBC Two will host coverage of the weekend in a two-hour special, broadcast next Sunday, just moments after the live event has finished.

Each finalist will receive £2,000 and the opportunity to give a lunchtime recital at Wigmore Hall in London this autumn.

The overall winner carries away the title of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008 plus a travel award to promote their studies.

You can view the full concerto performances, and category final performances by all competitors at www.bbc.co.uk/youngmusician

Tickets start at £5 and are available from 08700 40 2000.