TALENTED young musicians have scooped a top national award.

East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service Senior String Ensemble have been announced this year’s winners of Scottish Young Musicians Ensemble of the Year.

The competition gives young musicians around the country the chance to win career-enhancing prizes and perform live on a national stage in front of internationally renowned judges.

This year, for the first time, Ensemble of the Year was open to ensembles of three to 12 players of any genre or grouping of instruments where mem- bers played together regularly in a formal group from a school or recognised music organisation.

All members had to be school pupils in Scotland but there was no minimum age or standard.

One ensemble was selected to represent each local authority, recognised music organisation, and Scotland’s independent schools, with East Lothian’s musicians enjoying success.

Jonathan Gawn, team manager at East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service, said: “Inspired by the Scottish Young Musician competition last year, East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service now has senior bagpipe, brass, woodwind and string ensembles.

“These ensembles are a unique opportunity for our more experienced young musicians to come together to enjoy performing in a chamber music setting.

“It was great to hear the high standard of all our ensembles at our regional Scottish Young Musicians event, and I’m delighted that our young people’s efforts have been rewarded with this incredible opportunity to perform at the national final.”

The chosen entries submitted videos of their performances to a panel of esteemed adjudicators, made up of John Wallace, convenor of Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG), Arlene Macfarlane, director of Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust, Laura Gardiner, foundation director of The Benedetti Foundation, and the award-winning Scottish marimbist and percussionist Calum Huggan.

Mr Wallace, convenor of the MEPG and one of the judges for Brass Ensemble of the Year, said: “It was heart-warming to see such an enthusiastic response to the ensemble and brass competitions.

“The overall winning entry, from East Lothian, and the winning brass ensemble, from Stranraer, were remarkable for their musicality and panache.

“They were able to communicate their musical message through the microphone directly to the heart and soul as well as the ears of our adjudication team. Every entry had something special to say but these two were extra special.”

Both ensembles will now receive a cash prize to further their musical experiences, a Maid of Morven Trophy designed by Alexander Stoddart, The King’s Sculptor in Ordinary, and an all-expenses-paid trip to play a prime slot at the Solo Performer of the Year National Final at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this Sunday.