A MUSIC competition for young Wee County talent is set to return in 2023 following its success last year.

Entries are already open for Alloa Rotary Club's Young Musician Competition with the final to be held on June 1 at Alva Academy.

Budding young musicians have until the end of February to enter with the competition open to secondary school age people up to the age of 17 as at August 31, 2022.

Entrants must either live in or be educated in Clackmannanshire with instrumentalists and vocalists both welcome.

Rotarian Lindsey Spowage, who is leading the project, said: “All our local schools and many other youth groups have been sent information and we hope that music teachers and community leaders will support young people who want to take part.

“There will be heats to choose our finalists and the first step is to submit an entry form.

“After that, eligible entrants will be invited to submit their stage one performance electronically with support from teachers, parents, or other leaders.

“The Competition Final, in Alva Academy in June, will be a live event.”

The competition went ahead for the first time last year with a fine fine turnout of parents, tutors and supporters at the finals.

Last June, Alva Academy's Finlay Rowe, from Menstrie, was named as the junior winner for his selection of tunes on bagpipes.

Runner up was George Dodd, from Dollar and also an Alva Academy pupil, who played The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini on alto saxophone.

It was a close contest in the senior category with joint winners named.

They were Mark Forbes, from Alva and a pupil of the academy, who played Leonard Bernstein’s Red, White and Blues on trumpet; as well as Lornshill Academy pupil Michael Black, from Alloa, who played Prelude No 9 by Alan Bullard on the piano.

Runner up was Emily Meeten from Tillicoultry, a pupil at Alva Academy, who sang She Used to be Mine by Sara Bareilles.

Lindsey added: “Alloa Rotary is grateful for Norland Joinery’s sponsorship of the event.

“Last year’s competition was our first and was very successful so we have high hopes that this will also go well and showcase local talent to the max.”

ENTER: Scan the QR code with a smartphone to enter or email the club

ENTER: Scan the QR code with a smartphone to enter or email the club

Those looking to enter can scan the QR code (above) or email youngmusiciancompetition@alloarotary.org for an entry form and for guidance.