*
banner

Royal Academy of Music to host Yamaha Final

Two talented brass band players will compete in the prestigious Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe (YMFE) Scholarship Awards competition in London later this month.

Yamaha
  Many of the Yamaha scholars have gone on to enjoy outstanding musical careers

The Royal Academy of Music in London will host to the 2019 final of the annual Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe (YMFE) Scholarship Awards.

The free event on Sunday 24th February will feature six finalists who have battled through preliminary rounds held last year.

Outstanding careers

Since 1990, the acclaimed pan-European Yamaha Music Scholarship scheme has awarded scholarships worth more than 1 million euros to over 1000 outstanding young musicians all over Europe. Many Yamaha scholars have progressed to develop outstanding careers in performance and education.

Alumni include saxophonist Amy Dickson, euphonium virtuoso David Childs, and pianists Eduard Kunz and Sasha Grynyuk.

The Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe is a non-profit-making charity dedicated to supporting talented music students and providing valuable performance platforms for emerging musicians. The financial assistance may be used for any purpose related to the advancement of studies.

This year's six finalists include at least two young players currently performing with leading UK bands, with Emily Humphries and Hannah Plumridge from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff playing with Tredegar and Cory respectively4BR

Finalists

This year's six finalists, all of whom are studying full time at leading UK institutions include at least two young players currently performing with leading UK bands, with Emily Humphries and Hannah Plumridge from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff playing with Tredegar and Cory respectively.

They will be joined by Adam Wood (Royal College of Music), James Alexander Nash (Royal Academy of Music), Joseph Matthews (Manchester University) and Matilda Lloyd (Royal Academy of Music) to perform before a judging panel comprised of Mark David from the Royal Academy of Music, Andrew Dunn of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and Spencer Down from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

The three winning instrumentalists will each receive a scholarship award of 2000 euros.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brass Band Treize Etoiles

World Rankings: 2025 End of year update

January 7 • Treize Etoiles shine bright as Swiss stars claim historic top spot in 2025 World Rankings after a stellar season.


Composer Competition

Whelan makes magic to win UniBrass prize

January 7 • 'All Magic Comes at a Price' wins the 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition title.


Joey Wong

4BR Wednesday interview with Joey Wong

January 6 • We meet up with the 22 year old conductor from Hong Kong hoping to become the 2026 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition winner.


Winter Gardens

North West Regional line-ups announced

January 6 • 75 bands will kick off the 2026 Regional Championships in Blackpool in March.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Christchurch Vintage Brass

January 6 • Bb Bass required for our friendly non contesting day time band. We rehearse Monday afternoons from 13:30 in Southbourne near Bournemouth with refreshments afterwards. MD Steve Chislett.


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd