Accordionist crowned Scottish Young Musician of the year

Accordionist Inver Shand has been named Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year 2025 at a competition final held on Sunday (25 May). 17-year-old Shand receives a cash prize of £1,000, a professional coaching session and masterclass with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a studio recording session to help develop his performance skills as well as a trophy crafted by Alexander Stoddart FRSE, the King's Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland.

The competition, which forms part of Scottish Young Musicians’ festival of events run by Music Education Partnership Group, was held at Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The Solo Performer of the Year final saw 33 top musicians – representing each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities – compete for the title.

Scottish Young Musicians chair Alan Kerr said: ’Today marks an important milestone in Scottish Young Musicians history. From a standing start only four years ago, SYM has grown at a remarkable speed, and for the first time will have a talented finalist from all of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas performing in the Solo Final… I am extremely grateful to the team that made this possible, and we are all energised to start again next year with the ambition to grow SYM even more, bringing opportunities and experiences to young people everywhere in Scotland.’

The competition judging panel was chaired by trumpeter and former Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland John Wallace CBE and included soprano Jane Irwin, violinist Laura Ayoub, flautist Katherine Bryan, and arts consultant and former BBC Symphony Orchestra director Paul Hughes. The panel chose 14-year-old violinist James Rippiner and 15-year-old pianist Aeronwy Gault as runners-up. Both musicians receive a cash prize of £250, along with a professional coaching session and masterclass at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.