Tradoak backs Sussex Young Musician of the Year

Coro Nuovo's search for the Sussex Young Musician of the Year is back with another line-up of talented performers.

Tradoak is once again providing the bursary for the competition which supports young Sussex musicians.

Eleven young musicians will be pulling out all the stops as they compete for total prizes of £2,000 in this year's finals.

Tradoak owner Neil Peskett is a long-term supporter of the competition.

"I am passionate about music and, as a company, we want to be involved in our community," he said.

"Backing Coro Nuovo's annual competition is a fantastic way to do both."

Sussex Young Musician of the Year

Now in its fourth year, the competition is open to singers and instrumentalists aged between 18 and 26.

Entrants must be about to, or currently, studying at one of the UK’s leading music conservatoires.

There are bursaries of £1,000 for the competition winner, £500 for the runner-up and £250 for two finalists.

These will help support them with their musical studies.

Hoping for one of the final places will be a classical guitarist, two cellists, four sopranos, a flautist, a violinist, a bassoonist and pianist.

Last year’s winner, mezzo soprano Rebecca Leggett, said: “I am over the moon to have won Coro Nuovo’s Sussex Young Musician of the Year.

"It means a great deal to win a competition that supports young musicians from Sussex.

"I have lived here all my life and this county is very special to me.”

Event details

The auditions will be held at St Peter’s Church, Chailey, on Sunday, June 2, between 1.15 pm and 4.30pm.

Audience entry is free.

All 11 candidates play for about 10 minutes each for an expert panel who will select the four finalists.

The final will take place at St Andrew’s Church, Burgess Hill, on Saturday, July 6, at 7pm.

For ticket details visit coronuovo.org.uk/tickets.

Kate Kent, chair of Coro Nuovo, said: “Once again we have been amazed by the quality of the applicants.

"It has been incredibly difficult selecting those to audition, and it will be even harder choosing the ultimate winner.

"We are also grateful to local Sussex company Traditional Oak and Timber who again are the main sponsors of the Sussex Young Musician of the Year Competition.”

Traditional Oak And Timber Company

Tradoak was formed by Neil Peskett in 1990.

We supply quality reclaimed and air-dried oak beams to the construction industry and direct to consumers.

Our website provides examples of some of the work we have undertaken and products we can supply.

As an independent family business we are passionate about supporting our local community.