On Monday 17 October the Canterbury Festival 2022 Young Musicians’ Bursary Competition saw performances from shortlisted Finalists. As always, this event was fiercely competitive and a challenge to the talent, technical brilliance and musical poise of the performers. They played in front of a panel of distinguished judges; Dr Susan Wanless (Chair of Judges and Former Director of Music, University of Kent) and Emily Renshaw-Kidd (Mezzo Soprano, Director of Music at the Langton and Pianist).

After much deliberation this year’s senior Young Musician Bursary Competition winner was announced as trombone player Thomas Hall, who presented outstanding performances of Saint Saens’ Cavatine and Bernstein’s Elegy for Mippy II. A huge congratulations to Thomas and to our other participants who all demonstrated amazing technical talent and passion for their artform. Supported by the Canterbury Festival Foundation, this year’s winner will receive a £1,000 bursary to help develop their talent, take advantage of training opportunities or fund musical equipment. They will also become the Canterbury Festival Ambassador for the arts for 2022-2023.

We would like to thank all of the amazing musicians who took part and look forward to next year’s Competition.