It is time once again for the Maidstone Musician of The Year Competition.

The contest will be held at The Groves Hall at Sutton Valence School in North Street, Sutton Valence, on Saturday, January 18, starting at 7pm.

Eight finalists have been selected based on their performances at the Maidstone Music Festival held at Invicta Grammar School last November.

They are Ashley Solano (piano), Eliza Ruffle (piano), Finn Gape (piano), Siena Barr (clarinet), Leonie Carrette (voice), Daniel Pengelly (flute), Emma Courtness (voice) and Oliver Moh (cello).

They will be performing before an audience and the three judges, Kathryn Ridgeway, Trevor Brearley and Martyn Clements, will decide the winner, the runner-up and the young musician of promise.

Last year's winner was pianist Mattew Hua, who will be returning to give a performance and to present the title to this year's winner.

Tickets are £5.50 per adult and £2.75 per child, available here.

The contest is sponsored by the Maidstone Dawn Patrol Rotary Club.

This competition also acts as the local heat for the national Rotary Young Musician, which has separate categories for singers and instrumentalists, and the judges will be asked to pick first and second in each of the two categories to go forward to the district competition.

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