The ESO Young Soloist Competition was established in 1988 as a result of the 11th Duke of Devonshire’s financial generosity towards the ESO, to offer young soloists the opportunity of performing with an orchestra. Since then, the competition has created an ever-growing interest throughout the country and abroad, with an increasingly high standard of entry. The competition is open to competitors aged 23 and under and the winner has the opportunity to perform a concerto with the ESO at a concert later in the year. There are runner-up prizes and the best performance given by a competitor under the age of 18 will win the Duke of Devonshire Award. More details about the prizes are given in the results section where the text of the final adjudication is given.
