THE Arts Council, in partnership with BBC Northern Ireland, are encouraging talented young musicians throughout the north to apply for the NI Young Musician’s Platform Award.
The biennial awards are aimed at showcasing and developing gifted young musicians from the north. There are five awards to be obtained, including three for classical music, one for jazz, and one for traditional Irish music. Winners will each receive funding awards worth £5,000 to enable them to further their careers.
Recipients of the financial award will be given the opportunity to spend time learning from a master musician, teacher, composer, or mentor, either in the north or abroad. The victors will also receive two professional radio broadcast, including a broadcast with the Ulster Orchestra.
Three presenters from BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle will help mentor young musicians and will monitor their progress on their programmes. Presenter and classical pianist John Toal will mentor the classical musicians; folk musician and singer Colum Sands will mentor the traditional musician, while jazz musician and educator Linley Hamilton will mentor the winner of the jazz award.
“The Northern Ireland Young Musicians’ Platform Award is a unique opportunity for our outstanding young musicians to develop their musical skills, learn from the best in their genre and receive professional experience of playing with a live orchestra,” the Arts Council's head of music, Ciaran Scullion, said.
:: Applications for the awards are open until October 6. For more information, see: www.artscouncil-ni.org.
