A TALENTED young musician is set for a prestigious prize thanks to the organisers of the Cumnock Tryst festival.

The winner of the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year competition will get the chance to play in a recital at Dumfries House.

The new competition, launched by The Music Education Partnership Group, is Scotland’s only music competition where funding and expertise is offered to every school and local authority, giving all pupils in the country the chance to take part.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which will host the national final of the competition, is offering the winner of the competition a coaching session with the relevant head of department and participation in a masterclass. 

They are also offering a studio recording session, with an accompanist provided, giving the winner a quality recording that could be used for auditions. 

The Conservatoire is also providing two runners up a coaching session with the relevant heads of department and participation in a masterclass.

The Cumnock Tryst is giving the opportunity for a competitor to take one of the recital slots at the festival to be held in Dumfries House on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

The Tryst, founded by Sir James MacMillan, has a focus on developing compositional skills and creativity since launching as a centre of excellence in the learning and teaching of composition.

Sir James said: “We are excited to offer the chance to perform at The Cumnock Tryst to the winner of Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year.

"This new competition will be of immense help and encouragement for the aspirations of thousands of young musicians, and we are delighted to support the ambitions of young soloists from around the country.”