Stockport Symphony Orchestra seeks sponsorship to support Stockport International Young Musician Competition
Stockport Symphony Orchestra, widely acknowledged to be one of the best amateur orchestras in Britain, is looking for businesses to sponsors to support their Stockport International Young Musician Competition.
The orchestra performs a challenging programme of 8 concerts per season hosted by Stockport Town Hall.
The season for 24/25 is at an advanced stage in planning including bringing back the Stockport International Young Musician Competition in March 2025.
It will be the fourth time Stockport Symphony Orchestra has held Stockport’s International Young Musician Competition, a prestigious occasion, each time proving to be a truly international event, with competitors coming from as far away as Brazil, Australia and China.
Young Musician Competition winner Rachel Siu with her trophy
Competitors aged 17-24 submit their competition auditions as recordings online, which are assessed by a panel of renowned musicians from the British music scene; a shortlist of ten are invited to play in person in February at the orchestra’s rehearsal venue. The best three are selected to perform a concerto of their choice at the final in Stockport Town Hall with Stockport Symphony Orchestra when the judging panel will choose the winner and present the prizes after the performance.
Stockport Symphony Orchestra’s patron for the event is the violinist Jennifer Pike, who grew up in Stockport. As a teenager Jennifer won the BBC young musician of the year and is now an international soloist and recording artist.
The prize for the winner is £2000 and an opportunity to return to SSO as a soloist in the 25/26 season. The 2 runners up will be awarded £500. Immediately after the results are announced there is a drinks reception for the three finalists, the judges, the patrons, and sponsors, with photo opportunities on the magnificent marble staircase in the town hall.
Lesley Selby, Chair Stockport Symphony Orchestra explained:
“It is clearly a labour-intensive and expensive venture for the orchestra, remembering we must fund the judges at the three stages of the competition in addition to the usual concert expenses, as well as the prize fund.
“We consider this is a worthwhile event giving young musicians a tremendous opportunity to perform and be noticed early in their career, as well as raising the international profile of Stockport as a cultural hub.”
To help with the costs and to ensure Stockport’s young talent can continue to be nurtured and recognised, Lesley is looking for support from the local business community:
“I am actively seeking sponsorship from local businesses and opportunities for publicity. I am hoping that we can build on the legacy from the Town of Culture year and continue to promote Stockport as an exciting place for music internationally and would value your involvement in any way that you think that you can help.
“As the Chair of Stockport Symphony Orchestra, I share One Stockport’s goals, promoting Stockport as a great place to live, and also have a passion for raising the awareness of the area as a cultural hub both nationally and internationally.”
If you would like your business to benefit from the publicity that Stockport’s International Young Musician Competition can bring to your organisation while supporting Stockport’s future musicians, please contact Lesley by email:
lesleyaselby@gmail.com
