Stoke-on-Trent Young Musician 2023 winners announced

This year’s Stoke-on-Trent Young Musician 2023 winners were crowned on Friday 10 March during an enchanting live final.

Organised by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council run City Music Service, the competition was split into two categories, Junior, up to and including year eight and Senior, year nine upwards. There were 12 classes, six Junior and six Senior and 70 entrants from a range of schools across the city. For each, the categories were piano, strings (orchestral), woodwind (orchestral and band), brass, open (percussion, keyboard, guitar, recorder, and other instruments) and voice.

The Junior title went to Seth Clarke from The Discovery Academy who played the piano and Fowo Obe from St Peter’s Academy who played the drum kit claimed the senior title.

Senior winner Fowo started playing drums at the age of two and said: “I love playing the drums; it makes me feel so happy, committed and connected and am really passionate about it and it’s in my blood.”

On winning the Young Musician of the year he said: “It feels amazing to have won, like I am going to higher places and it is a gift from God”.

Junior winner Seth who also started playing from a young age was inspired to take up piano lessons when he received a keyboard for Christmas, he said: “Playing the piano is a good skill to learn and it feels like I am in another world when playing. I feel so proud of myself for winning.”

Preliminary rounds took place in January.

Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for the economy and education at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Stoke-on-Trent City Music Service gives children amazing opportunities and inspires young people to learn and play an instrument. Through learning to play a musical instrument you can learn so many skills and gain a passion.

“Without the City Music Service young people may not have had these opportunities or even realise that taking up learning an instrument would be something they’d really enjoy.”

The City Music Service were delighted to host this event and want to congratulate all of the musicians who took part.