The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is excited to announce the 19th Eurovision Young Musicians competition will be hosted by the BBC as a highlight of the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival (EIF).

18 EBU Member broadcasters will take part in the event for talented young classical musicians, aged between 12 and 21, from around Europe.

Eurovision Young Musicians, which takes place between 18 -23 August 2018, will be truly multi-platform for the first time with a number of format changes from the last edition in 2016.

All competing musicians now perform in a semi-final elimination round, produced by BBC Radio 3, and made available for EBU Members’ radio and online platforms via the Euroradio network.

Each contestant will perform an 18 minute long public chamber recital in one of the EIF’s best music venues, the Festival Theatre Studio on 18-19 August.

Six candidates will then be selected by an expert jury to perform in the Grand Final on Thursday 23 August at Edinburgh’s iconic Usher Hall, which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972. They will be accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under its principle conductor, Thomas Dausgaard.

The winner of Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 will be decided by an international panel of classical music luminaries including Marin Alsop and Sir James MacMillan.

The Grand Final will be produced by BBC Scotland and made available live on radio, online and as a live TV broadcast in all participating countries.

  “The EBU is delighted to be working once again with the BBC, who hosted the first EYM in 1982 in Manchester,” said the EBU’s Executive Supervisor of Eurovision Live Events, Jon Ola Sand.

“By partnering with the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the world’s greatest arts events, we are thrilled to be bringing this huge showcase for young classical musicians to an even bigger audience. This competition has provided a launchpad for some of the biggest stars of the classical world and we’re sure with 2018’s competition as part of the EIF this will offer Europe’s talented youth an even greater chance to shine.”

Fergus Linehan, Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival added:  “The Edinburgh International Festival has always been passionate about providing a platform for emerging talent and in a year in which we’re inviting a host of young musicians from all over the world to the Usher Hall in a major celebration of the next generation of classical musicians, we’re delighted to be hosting the finals of Eurovision Young Musicians 2018. We look forward to working with the European Broadcasting Union and the BBC in welcoming these hugely talented young musicians to Edinburgh as they compete for one of the world’s most prized titles.”

Alan Davey, Controller of BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs echoed the importance of the competition: “As the long-term radio partner to BBC Young Musician and the Edinburgh International Festival it’s a natural evolution for us to support this important competition. We are really keen to bring our listeners closer to these phenomenal young musicians and their huge talent through our extensive coverage on Radio 3.”

Eurovision Young Musicians is a co-production between the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Edinburgh International Festival, BBC Radio 3, BBC Studios, BBC Arts Digital and BBC Scotland.

More information about the competition and this year’s edition can be found on the newly redesigned youngmusicians.tv.

PARTICIPATING BROADCASTERS

RTSH (Albania), RTBF (Belgium), HRT (Croatia), CT (Czech Republic), ERR (Estonia), WDR (Germany), ERT (Greece), MTVA (Hungary), Kan IPBC (Israel), PBS (Malta), NRK (Norway), TVP (Poland), RTR (Russia), RTV (San Marino), RTVS (Slovenia), RTVE (Spain), SVT (Sweden), BBC (United Kingdom)

ABOUT THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

The Edinburgh International Festival is an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for peoples of all nations. Committed to virtuosity and originality, the International Festival presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre for three weeks in August.