A KILMACOLM school pupil has been named as one of Scotland's best young musicians after scooping a prestigious prize.
Clarinettist Emily Barron won the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year award for 2023, coming out on top against more than 30 finalists from across the country.
The 16-year-old, who is an S5 pupil at St Columba’s School, started playing clarinet when she was aged eight and in the years since, she has picked up saxophone, piano and bass clarinet, while also being a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and RCS Junior Symphony Orchestra.
Her winning performance of Solo de Concours by André Messager, in front of an audience of hundreds at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday, earned her the title as two other finalists were awarded the position of equal runners-up.
Emily said: “It’s been a really incredible opportunity to take part in Scottish Young Musicians and I never would have expected to win out of all of these wonderful musicians.
"There’s a lot you can learn by hearing other musicians play and I’ve taken away a lot today from hearing all the other musicians who are all around my age.
"I’ve been really inspired to continue playing music and can’t wait to see what lies in the future.”
Emily received £1,000 to spend on furthering her musical career and the Maid of Morven trophy made by the King’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland Alexander Stoddart FRSE.
She also received a package of opportunities provided by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland including a coaching session, participation in a masterclass and a studio recording session.
John Logan, head of the judging panel who presented the awards, said: “Many people wonder how we can actually pick a winner from so many talented young people, and not only that, so many diverse instruments.
"We enjoyed everything from rock drums to guitar to classical guitar to baritone horn, to voice.
"At the end of the day, we’re in the entertainment business.
"We look for sound technique, but we also look for emotion and storytelling.
"They say that technique is the passport to storytelling in this language that we call music.
"And Emily Barron was the person who used it to really engage with the audience today.”
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