We are delighted to Announce the winner of our 2024 Young Musicians’ Bursary Competition Final is Akhilesh Krish Parthiban. Krish played clarinet, performing Poulenc, Sonata, 3rd mvt, Allegro con fuoco and Schumann, Fantasiestucke, No.1, op. 73. He is awarded a £1,000 bursary and becomes our 2025 Youth Music Ambassador.

Following the success of their collaboration with 2023 Bursary winner, Cora Hewitt, Canterbury Symphony Orchestra is again offering for this year’s winner to perform as a soloist in one of their upcoming concerts. The Canterbury Symphony Orchestra is a community-based society with a membership of both professional musicians and accomplished amateurs. First performing in 1954, they celebrated their 70 year anniversary in 2024, and what better way to do so than by supporting the next generation of young musicians. 

The Judges of the Young Musicians’ Bursary competition were amazed by the outstanding quality and musicality performed by every finalist, making the decision extremely difficult. So much so, a new award was created; ‘Highly Commend’ was awarded to Euan Giles who performed brilliantly on his Acoustic Guitar!

We would like to thank everyone who auditioned and all our finalists, the standard we saw this year was exceptional. We are looking forward to seeing new & familiar faces next year.

Thanks also go to Kent College for hosting the event and Canterbury Festival Foundation for funding this wonderful opportunity.