John Young has been declared the winner of this year’s West Suffolk Young Musician Finalists’ Concert, held at the Apex, Bury St Edmunds.

Having won both the piano and string heats it was the 18-year-old’s keyboard talents that swayed the decision from the judges in his favour performing Tchaikovsky’s Doumka.

He won the Level 3 competition and the overall title, while the winner at Level 2 was 17-year-old flautist Beth Soman. Both are students at County Upper School.

All 15 finalists went away with a £25 voucher donated by Music Sales Group and John and Beth received trophies. The top prize of £100 Balaam’s Music vouchers was presented to the winner on stage by John Balaam.

Beth was awarded a £50 Balaam’s Music vouchers, donated by the Bury St Edmunds branch of the Decorative and Fine Arts Society and presented by their treasurer, Bob Emery, after performing a Sicilienne by Faure and Dvorak’s Humoresque.

She was also the winner of two heats and presented performances both at Level 2 on the flute and at Level 3 as a singer. She was accompanied on the piano by her brother Jonathan, a former winner of the competition in 2008.

This was the second year that the event was held at the Apex and the interior of the concert hall was specially adapted to provide a more intimate space for the young soloists, whilst maximising its acoustic.

Neil Carlson, chairman of the West Suffolk Young Musician organising committee, said: “There was a real buzz from the audience and amazement at the quality of the musical performances they had enjoyed.”