Our Youth Programme is now well established as an integral part of the Festival with initiatives such as the Barnes Young Musician of the Year Award, the Schools’ Concert, our Under 12 free ticket scheme and performance opportunities for first class music groups from local secondary schools. With children and families being a large part of the Barnes population, we aim to engage them in listening to and creating music within the Festival. We continue to devise new opportunities for involvement and to promote the enjoyment of music to young people in our community.
Schools Concert
The Schools Concert is a creative project for local primary schools with the aim of introducing primary aged children to the joy of music making. In 2018, children from Barnes Primary and St Paul’s School took centre stage for an entire event for the first time in the history of the festival where they performed Alexander L’Estrange’s, Zimbe! In 2019, Leonardo Da Vinci inspired the children. Our 2022 concert was based on the theme of bridges with a performance of Let’s Build a Bridge by Mark Wilderspin.
Barnes Young Musician 2024
The Barnes Music Festival has an extensive Youth Programme. The Barnes Young Musician, now in its eighth year, is an instrumental competition available to the most advanced players in Barnes. The competition is supported by the Barnes Music Society. Applications are encouraged from players of Grade 6+ standard.
Sectional Masterclasses
Applications Now Open
Sectional Masterclasses were successfully introduced in 2022 in partnership with local schools. Led by outstanding musicians they offer valuable insight from outstanding leaders.
All Masterclasses last for 2 hours.
Barnes Young Musician Of the Year
First Round (video submissions):
The first round will be judged by a video submission 3-5minuites in length. This video need not be a ‘finished product’, but rather demonstrating potential and suitability for the final. The video can be accompanied or unaccompanied, using a live performer or pre-recorded backing track.
Timeline for 2024
January – March – Sectional Masterclasses
Friday 23rd February – Deadline for Young Musician video submissions
Sunday 10th March – Barnes Young Musician of the Year Final
Saturday 23rd March – Winners performance at the Festival Gala