TALENTED young musicians converged on Musselburgh for the Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition.
Every year, Rotary clubs throughout Scotland and beyond host competitions for young people to showcase their talent.
The East and Borders Area final for 2024 was hosted by the Rotary Club of Musselburgh.
More than 100 people gathered at Loretto Chapel to hear 16 young performers up to the age of 17, representing Rotary clubs from across East Lothian, the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and South Lanarkshire, compete for a coveted place in the competition’s district final.
East Lothian was well represented, with competitors from schools in Musselburgh, Longniddry, Dunbar and North Berwick who had progressed through from their club competitions.
Two performers – Katie Horrell, from Musselburgh Grammar School, on clarinet, and vocalist Lucy Macpherson, from Loretto School – represented the Rotary Club of Musselburgh, delivering “super performances”.
After a tight competition adjudicated by Dorcas Owen and Philip Coad, professionals in the music field, the winning vocalist, Maggie Goodall, and winning instrumentalist, Jake Johnstone on the accordion, were announced.
Maggie, sponsored by Dalkeith Rotary, and Jake, sponsored by Biggar Rotary, proceeded to the district final at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. Jake went on to win the district final and will now go forward to the Scottish final in Kinross.
The competition ends with the national final in Manchester in April, when the youngsters will compete to be Rotary Young Musicians of the Year for Great Britain and Ireland 2024.
Fox Stuart, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Musselburgh, said: “What a great privilege it was to host such a brilliant array of young talent here in the Honest Toun. It really was a stiff competition and all the young people and their supporters should feel very proud of their achievements.
“We thank Loretto School for being our hosts for both the club and area competitions. With a focus on local and youth, the Rotary Club of Musselburgh is committed to supporting our young people to grow and develop through positive experiences that stretch and inspire.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here