The local round of this year's Ashby Rotary Young Musician competition will be held this month in the Lecture Theatre at Ashby School.

There are three classes, Juniors, up to 10 years; Intermediates, 11 to 13 years; and Seniors 14 to 17 years.

Only one piece of music is required at this stage but entrants chosen to progress to later stages of the District Competition will be required to submit at least two pieces.

The event takes place on January 24, starting at 5pm.

Entries should be submitted by Friday, January 13, and entry forms can be obtained from the organiser John Sedgley on 07770 633777 or email: [email protected].

Entry is free to the local competition and Rotary will pay for all subsequent entry fees.

Previous winners of the competition have gone on to be professional instrumentalists and singers, so this event can be the first step towards a musical career.

The title of Ashby de la Zouch Young Musician 2023 will be awarded to the competitor who, in the opinion of the adjudicators, is most worthy of the title.

There is also the Fred Williams Musicianship Award to be given to a young singer or instrumentalist who has demonstrated high levels of musicality regardless of experience or technical ability.