More than 600 children to take part in youth music festival

THE SHETLAND Youth Music Festival returns to Mareel tomorrow (Monday) with over 600 young budding musicians set to attend across the four-day festival.

All events and performances held in Mareel over the four days and are open to the public.

Most are free open sessions, with two ticketed events for the Young Musician of the Year finals on Wednesday 18 March at 7pm, and the festival’s gala concert on Thursday 19 March from 7pm.

It comes after saxophonist Norman Willmore was announced as the patron of the 2026 festival.

He said it is a “great thing to celebrate young people taking extra time outside of school to also learn and practise an instrument and play music with their friends and neighbours at every level”.

The schedule for the festival can be found below.

Shetland News — free to read

Membership helps pay for journalism

If you value impartial local journalism, become a member of Shetland News and get:

• Only local ads.
• Members' weekly newsletter.
• Bookmark stories and join the comments.

Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.

One-time

Monthly

Quarterly

Yearly

£50

£75

£100

£125

Amount More Options £150£200£250£300£350

£3

£5

£7

£10

Amount More Options £15£20£25£30£35

£10

£15

£20

£25

Amount More Options £30£35£40£45£50

£60

£80

£100

£120

Amount More Options £140£160£180£200£220

Continue

Remind me later

Billing: Your monthly subscription of £10 will be billed on or shortly after the 12th of each month. You can change how much you pay or cancel at any time.