Hampshire Young Soloist Competition

As rehearsals for our 2024 Young Soloist competition get underway, we would like to introduce the talented finalists who will perform with us on July 4th at Thornden Hall. Tickets are on sale now at
https://thorndenhall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873658521

Today is the turn of our pianist, Markus, who will be performing Rachmaninov's ever popular Piano Concerto number 2.

Markus Simojoki (15) began playing the piano at the age of five, and has been taught by Richard Shepherd and, more recently, Samantha Carrasco. He took up the violin when he was six and the viola three years later. He is also fortunate to have had an organ scholarship at St Mary's, Portsea for the past two years. He spends most of his free time making music, whether it be practising, performing or playing in ensembles. Markus was previously a member of the National Children’s Orchestra, and now plays viola in Hampshire County Youth Orchestra and leads the Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestra. He enjoys being part of school pit bands and ad hoc jazz ensembles on the piano, and regularly accompanies other students. He was delighted to win the recital prize at last year's Portsmouth Music Festival on the piano, and is busy preparing for a piano recital on the 28th June. Alongside music-making, he particularly enjoys learning languages and reading.

2024 Finalists

Emme Hensel – Flute.        Jaques Ibert: Flute Concerto

Elias Simojoki – Trumpet:    Alexander Arutiunian: Trumpet Concerto

Markus Simojoki – Piano:    Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor

Previous finalists have been:
 

2022

Winner:	Shoshana Yugin-Power	Reinecke Flute Concerto
Runners-up:	Eleanor Holmes Freya Garside Hannah Crowdy	Reinecke Flute Concerto Gordon Jacob Concerto for Bassoon, Percussion and Strings Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto
Eleanor Holmes Freya Garside Shoshana Yugin-Power (Winner 2022) Hannah Crowdy

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2020

The 2020 competition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
 

Finalists:	Amélie Budd  Hanna Simojoki Shoshana Yugin-Power	Oboe Violin Flute
Shoshana Yugin-Power Shoshana Yugin-Power Shoshana Yugin-Power Hanna Simojoki Hanna Simojoki Hanna Simojoki Amélie Budd Amélie Budd Amélie Budd

2018

Winner:	Ben Upfold	Rosauro Marimba Concerto
Runners-up:	Emma Paterson Patrick Friend Sophie Osborne	Mozart Violin Concerto no. 3 Horovitz Euphonium Concerto Weber Clarinet Concerto no. 1
Sophie Osborne and Emma Paterson

2016

2014

Winner:	Jenny Whitby	Nielsen Flute Concerto
Runners-up:	Matthew Crisp Michael Huang	Bruch Violin Concerto Elgar Cello Concerto
Jenny Whitby (Winner 2014)