Ten make finals of Emunah Young Musician of the Year 2012

Ten talented youngsters, aged 10 to 18, will perform in the finals of the Emunah Young Musician of the Year competition at the Royal Academy of Music on Sunday 4 March, held in conjunction with the Jewish Chronicle.  This is the second year for the competition which attracted entrants from all over the country via schools, communal organisations, music groups, Facebook and Twitter.

The finalists were announced at a ceremony and feedback session after the heats on 22 January – also held at the Royal Academy of Music.  Strings: Leon Keuffer (violin), 17, was the class winner; runner-up Annoushka Sharp (cello), 12. Piano: Nathan Dean, 14, was the class winner; runner-up Annabel Lawrence, 14.  Solo Voice 1: Jonathan Garcia, 18; Runner-up: James Harvey, 14.

Solo Voice 2: joint class winners: Brady Isaacs Pearce, 11 and Louis Patterson, 17. Woodwind & Brass: Daniel Hilton (saxophone), 14 was the class winner; runner-up Toby King-Cline (oboe), 10.

Guy Oberlander was highly commended in the Piano category, with Channie Fine, Georgia Barnett and Zoe Hillman  Highly Commended in the Solo Voice Categories.

Event chairman Michelle Hirschfield said the idea for the competition was two- fold. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the wonderful talent in our community and give young people a chance to perform in concert to a large audience.  Secondly, and importantly, it enables us to raise funds to help children who have had the most tragic lives, and endured horrific experiences, and give them the care and attention they desperately need.”

The event is organised by a volunteer committee which includes highly experienced musicians.  The independent adjudicators for the Heats were Maurice Chernick ( Chair), Teresa Cahill, Maureen Smith, Pamela Kolirin and Ivor Goldberg.

This year’s contest will support the newly-established Lord and Lady Sacks Music Therapy Programme at Emunah centres. “Music is extremely important to us both and we fully appreciate the significance of music therapy in the treatment of emotionally disturbed children in Emunah’s care,” said the Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks together with Lady Sacks.

The overall winner will be announced at the end of the Emunah Young Musician of the Year Showcase Concert, which takes place on Sunday 4 March at 4pm.  Adult tickets £20/£25 (premium); Children (under 16) £8; Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £45. Tickets are subject to availability.

Call 020 8203 6066 or email www.emunah.org.uk See www.emunah.org.uk

Click here to book tickets online

Click here to see the Showcase Concert flyer