Eastbourne winner turns winner on the national stage

The Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra is thrilled that the 2026 winner of their annual Young Soloist Competition has now won the BBC Young Musician Competition.

On winning the ESO’s event in February, violinist Sofia Demetriades said how much she loved playing her programme for the judges and how much competitions of this kind gives an invaluable opportunity for young artists to develop their performing skills.

Graham Jones, one the ESO’s founders in 1979 who inaugurated the competition and leads the judging panel, said: “The competitors, all aged 23 and under, are of such high standard that it’s a real privilege to hear them. Such was the quality that the winner of the junior section, violinist Sofia Demetriades, also won a place in the final.”

The orchestra offers the winner a concert platform and Sofia played the Tchaikovsky Violin Concert in their summer concert to rapturous applause and a standing ovation. All the orchestra’s 160-plus concerts and all competitions are archived on www.eso.org.uk

The ESO encourages all those eligible to enter their annual competition in January and February 2027. Audiences are always welcome. More details on their website.