Tuesday March 24th 2026
Young Musician of the Year, Delta Sym, receiving her award
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
An S4 pupil from Preston Lodge High School has been crowned East Lothian Council Young Musician of the Year 2026.
16-year old pianist Delta Sym’s flawless rendition of Mozart’s Sonata in A Major K331, 1st Movement impressed the adjudicators in an evening that saw instrumentalists from all seven East Lothian secondary schools perform at St Mary’s Kirk, Haddington, in front of their families and invited guests.
Delta will now represent East Lothian at the Scottish Young Musician of the Year final which will be held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow on 24 May 2026.
Delta said: “I was really surprised that I won the other night as there were so many other outstanding performances! Everyone else played so well. I would also like to say that the judges were so nice and supportive and gave really good feedback. I am very honoured, and a little nervous, to be representing East Lothian in the final in May.”
Saxophonist Dan Barrett from Musselburgh Grammar School (S4) and North Berwick High School acoustic guitarist Sam Lawrie (S6) were named runners-up for their respective performances of Samba Triste from Three Piece Suite by RR Bennett and Alan Gogol’s Delicious Monster.
Rosehill High School S2 pupil Steinar Christiansen received the Most Promising Musician Award sponsored by Haddington Concert Society for the second year running for his electric guitar performance of Iron Maiden’s The Trooper.
Adjudicators Alasdair Rankin and Christopher Baxter, accomplished Scottish musicians whose careers have seen them tour the world performing in prestigious venues, were given the unenviable task of determining the winners from a tightly contested field. East Lothian Council’s Senior Woodwind Ensemble also appeared on the night performing Henry Mancini’s Moon River.
East Lothian Council’s Depute Chief Executive – Children and Communities Lesley Brown said:
“The breadth of musical talent that the young people displayed was inspiring. They gave accomplished performances and spoke eloquently and passionately about the pieces they had chosen, displaying genuine enthusiasm for their music. They were encouraged on the night, and I’m sure in all of their preparations, by family members who were present in the audience. It was a lovely occasion for everyone and I offer my congratulations to all our performers.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
