Arts / Last chance to get entries in for Shetland Youth Music Festival
TODAY is your last chance to get your names in for the 2026 Shetland Youth Music Festival, which will return next month.
The annual celebration of the best, young Shetland musical talent will be held at Mareel in Lerwick between 16-19 March, with the focus this year on primary school age children.
More than 300 children are already preparing to take part in the festival atmosphere – either on their own, in groups or school groups to an audience of friends and family.
Anyone interested in joining them has until midnight tonight (Friday) to become part of this year’s music festival.
One of last year’s participants urged anyone undecided to put their name forward, calling it an “amazing experience”.
“Such a great opportunity for young people to spend time playing music with their friends,” they said.
“It’s been very busy, but everyone has been supportive and I’ve had lots of fun.”
As well as the main competition performances, there are exciting workshops lined up too – including drumming with Joy Duncan.
There will be awards and prizes for the best performances throughout the week and a gala concert to celebrate all the young musicians at the end of the event.
The festival will also feature the famed junior and senior Shetland Young Musician of the Year competitions for 2026.
Shetland Youth Music Festival (SYMF) said it knew that some musicians may be disadvantaged by the cost of travelling to Mareel for the festival, with financial support on hand too.
SYMF said it wanted to make sure that “anyone who wishes to attend can take part without financial barriers”.
Support for transport expenses is being offered through donations from groups like Shetland Charitable Trust and Lerwick Port Authority.
To apply for transport expenses – or to enter the 2026 music festival – go to www.symf.co.uk, where information can also be found about the classes and workshops.
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