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The competition that has launched the careers of some of the UK鈥檚 biggest names in classical music is back with some amazing young talent to enjoy.

In this first programme of the series, the brilliant saxophonist Jess Gillam, a former Young Musician finalist herself, presents highlights from the live audition stage.

Completely reimagined for 2024, the new series is showcasing even more exceptionally talented young performers than previous years, with 25 featured in this, the first of two programmes filmed in Cardiff.

With some mesmerising performances to choose from, the task of selecting the musicians who will go through to the next stage is in the hands of the Young Musician judges: world-renowned trumpet player Alison Balsom (like Jess, a previous finalist in this competition), chart-topping composer and pianist Alexis Ffrench and multi-instrumentalist and conductor Hannah Catherine Jones.

From the several hundred who entered the competition, 50 were chosen to attend the live auditions. With the level of talent on display, it鈥檚 a difficult and emotional challenge for the judges to agree on who goes through to the next round. We hear musicians ranging from pianists, trombonists and double bassists to percussionists, harpists and cellists.