ONE of the key dates for budding young musicians in Thurrock has for many years been the Thurrock Young Musician of the Year event organised by Thurrock Music Services and over the years many hundreds of Thurrock youngsters have taken part.
This year, the format is going to be different and offers Thurrock’s young musicians the opportunity of attending a Masterclass before competing for that coveted title of Thurrock Young Musician of the Year.
The event is being organised by Thurrock Music Services in partnership with The Royal Opera House, the Thameside Theatre in Grays and The Rotary Club of Mardyke Valley. Entrants must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years and be either a resident of Thurrock or attend a School in Thurrock or regularly attend one of more Instrumental Ensembles in Thurrock or receive their music tuition through Thurrock Music Services.
All entrants will be asked to attend a Masterclass at The Culver Centre in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon on the following days:
Tuesday 1 November 9.30am Strings (Bowed and Plucked)
Tuesday 1 November 1.30pm Strings (Bowed and Plucked)
Wednesday 2 November 9.30am Woodwind
Wednesday 2 November 1.30pm Brass
Thursday 3 November 9.30am Piano
Thursday 3 November 1.30pm Percussion
Friday 4 November 9.30am Vocal
Friday 4 November 1.30pm Vocal
All entrants are asked to prepare one or two pieces that MUST be unaccompanied. The use of backing tracks is not permitted within the rules of any class. Each entrant will have an individual time slot where the Leader of the Masterclass will listen to and develop the performance.
At each Masterclass, the Masterclass Leaders will choose a Finalist from each Class and there will be a Finalist for each Lower Category (Years 6-9) and Upper Category (Years 10-13).
The Masterclass Leaders will then advise each Finalist of the piece that they have to play in the Final!
The Final will be held on Friday 9 October 2011 at the Thameside Theatre in Grays at 7pm. Tickets are available from the Thameside Theatre Box Office on Tel: 0845 300 5264.
Entrance to the competition is free of charge and all entrants will receive a certificate. The overall winner receives a trophy and the opportunity to guest perform at various key events in Thurrock in the next year.
Entry Forms have been sent out via School but are also available from Thurrock Music Services on Tel: 01375 413680/413681.
Closing date for all entries is Friday 7 October 2011.
Head of Thurrock Music Services, Richard Brittain, said, “This year the new format of the Young Musician of the Year competition has a greater educational focus and provides a wonderful experience to Thurrock’s Young Musicians.
“It also further develops the partnership between Thurrock Music Services, Royal Opera House, Thameside Theatre and the Rotary Club of Mardyke Valley. It promises to be a very exciting event!”
For further information or an entry form, please contact Thurrock Music Services on Tel: 01375 413680/413681 or email music.services@thurrock.gov.uk.
