BBC Young Musician

1978 – 2024
Returning Series
Reality
24 seasons
10.0/10

BBC Young Musician (Young Musician of the Year) first appeared on our TV screens in 1978. The brainchild of BBC producers Humphrey Burton, Walter Todds and Roy Tipping, the biennial competition has developed an enviable reputation for finding superstar musicians including Nicola Benedetti, Mark Simpson and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

All seasons

Latest: Series 24 · 2024

View all seasons

The UK's best young musicians compete to win the coveted title of BBC Young Musician 2024.

E1. Auditions 1
Sep 15, 2024 · 89m
In this first programme of the series, the brilliant saxophonist Jess Gillam, a former Young Musician finalist herself, presents highlights from the live audition stage.
E2. Auditions 2
Sep 15, 2024 · 89m
In this, the second of two programmes from this stage of the competition, we hear performances from pianists, violinists, trumpeters, bassoonists, percussionists, harpists and cellists.
E3. Quarter-Final 1
Sep 29, 2024 · 89m
The pressure is on as the competition reaches the quarter-final stage. Jess Gillam presents with judges Alison Balsom, Alexis Ffrench and Hannah Catherine Jones.
E4. Quarter-Final 2
Oct 6, 2024 · 89m
Jess Gillam presents the second of two quarter-finals. Who will impress judges Alison Balsom, Alexis Ffrench and Hannah Catherine Jones to secure their place in the semi-final?
E5. Semi-Final
Oct 13, 2024 · 89m
Jess Gillam presents the semi-final of BBC Young Musician. Six remain in the competition, but just three can make it through to the final.
E6. Grand Final
Oct 20, 2024 · 147m
Three exceptionally talented musicians vie for the coveted title as the grand final takes place in front of a packed audience in Britain’s newest concert venue. Hundreds of musicians entered this year’s competition but only three remain as they take to the stage at Bristol Beacon, aiming to impress the judges. Star saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam, herself a finalist in 2016, presents. Joining Jess are the 2024 BBC Young Musician judges: award-winning trumpet player and former finalist Alison Balsom; chart topping pianist Alexis Ffrench; and multi-instrumentalist and conductor Hannah Catherine Jones. In the final the musicians perform a concerto of their choice with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and award-winning conductor Ben Gernon. And the judges are in for a surprise when they hear what the finalists have opted to perform.

+1 more episode — open all seasons to browse every episode.