BBC Young Musician Finalists announced

After an exciting round of semi-final recordings, BBC Radio 2 has announced the names of the four finalists who will now play for the Young Brass Award on 28 March at the BBC Media Centre in Salford.

The four finalists are:

Matilda Lloyd (18) from Kent, playing the trumpet
Grant Jameson (20) from Ohio, playing the euphonium
Ryan Watkins (20) from Selby, playing the trombone
David Gillson (21) from Ingleby Barwick playing the cornet

The Final will be broadcast live on Radio 2 (which now reaches average weekly audience of 15.5million listeners) on 28 March at 8.00pm.

The show will see Grimethorpe Colliery Band accompany the four finalists and give a concert as judges composer Professor Edward Gregson, Kate Moore, Principal Trumpet of the BBC Concert Orchestra and Ian Bousfield, who was, until recently, Principal Trombone of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, decide who will win the 2014 award.

The evening is being hosted by Radio 2 presenters Ken Bruce and Frank Renton, the latter also conducting the Grimethorpe.

Bob Shennan, Controller BBC Radio 2 said: “Brass music is a key genre in the varied range of musical content in the BBC Radio 2 schedule. It’s always great to see young talent flourishing and the competition plays an important role in providing a platform for this talent to shine. Good luck to the finalists.”

Ewan Easton, Principal Tuba The Hallé Orchestra also commented:
“Adjudicating the semi-finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Musician 2014 has been a heart-warming experience. We could not have been more impressed with the striking quality of musicianship, as well as the accomplished technical capabilities exuded by all eight semi-finalists. Whilst we came to a unanimous decision in choosing our four finalists, the competition could not have been closer, with each musician bringing facets of distinction to the contest.”

Adding his observations, Paul Cosh, Senior Lecturer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama said: “In coming to our decision we took into account those aspects of performance that should always be present - a good sound and a control that allowed freedom of expression. They were four very mature performances displaying a technique of the highest order.” 

Finalist Profiles

Matilda Lloyd  


When Matilda was eight-years-old, her father, a music teacher, handed her a trumpet. She loved the sound she could make and in her own words “fell in love with it.” Her passion took off when, aged 13, she joined the National Children’s Orchestra. She toured with the National Youth Wind Band and is currently in her third year with the National Youth Orchestra now playing principal trumpet. 



Ryan Watkins 


Ryan started playing in his local band in York when he was 12. He’s had numerous orchestral opportunities, but says that right now playing with Brighouse and Rastrick is the best time of his life. He enjoys championing new music and gave the first broadcast performance of a piece during his semi-final.


Grant Jameson


At 16, Grant met Mark Bousie, a British euphonium player on tour, who encouraged him to leave his home in Ohio and immerse himself in the traditions of brass band in the UK. He is currently in his second year at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.


David Gillson


David comes from a musical family, grew up in the Salvation Army music tradition and was handed a cornet at the age of three. By the time he’d reached his teens, he had decided that this was something he wanted to do then and for the rest of his life. He now plays with The Fairey Band.