THE search is on to find Berkshire's Young Musician of the Year 2019 and Windsor Festival is to play a large part in the search.

The team behind the festival is partnering the music education charity Berkshire Maestros in running the competition and will focus on string players this year, offering them a chance to showcase their talents alongside others in their age group from across the county.

Entrants will compete across three rounds, two of them involving live performances with the final taking place as part of the Windsor Festival 2019 in the Old Court, St Leonard's Road on Sunday, March 17.

There are four age categories, each with their own winner. The overall winner will be presented with the winner’s cup along with their category prize at Windsor Castle on Friday, March 29.

There are four categories: up to nine, from 10 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18.

Jonathan Burnett, head of strings at Berkshire Maestros said: "We encourage entries in each of the age categories. Our judging criteria is designed to look much further than technical standards and level of playing. Many other aspects, such as musical awareness and performance flair, will be taken into consideration. These can be present in musically gifted children of any standard."

Director of Windsor Festival Martin Denny said: "Windsor Festival is delighted to be working with Berkshire Maestros again on the Berkshire Young Musician of the Year. The Young Musician of the Year was created to promote music-making amongst students from the local area in parallel with Windsor Festival International String Competition. Both competitions aim to encourage and inspire and to build performing experience and to give the students an audience. We wish all those who apply this year all the best."

For more information and to enter online visit www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk/BYM