The Young Musician of Mann final took place at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin on Sunday 21st June. The competition is open to any instrumentalist under the age of 19 years and all finalists had to pass a preliminary round to reach the final. The standard of all 5 musicians was very high but Meghan Quane, 15 won performing a varied programme on B flat Cornet including Spanish Gipsy Dance, Softly Awakes My Heart, Sugar Blues and Slavische Fantasie.

Meghan attends Ramsey Grammar School and is Principal Cornet with Ramsey Town Band and a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. She received the Joice Gelling Memorial Prize of £200, a silver cup presented by the Rotary Club of Rushen & Western Mann (held for two years), a glass goblet presented by the Isle of Man Arts Council and the title “Young Musician of Mann 2009”. Alison Hinds on clarinet was 2nd and received £100, and Giverny McAndry on flute was 3rd and received £50. The other finalists were James Aire and Jade Leach.

Meghan said “I am thrilled to have won Young Musician of Mann and would like to thank Mrs Jillian Collings for accompanying me and my teacher Miss Jennifer Cook for all her support”.