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Peter youngest-ever Musician of the Year

by Eve Dugdale
14/ 5/2008

A STALYBRIDGE schoolboy has become the youngest-ever BBC Young Musician of the Year.

Twelve-year-old trombonist Peter Moore, of Cedar Avenue, beat four other talented youngsters in the grand final at the weekend.

"It’s not sunk in at all. It probably won’t until next week. I couldn’t believe it when they read out my name and it all seemed to happen quickly," he said.It feels so good to join the big names that have won before and think of how prestigious it is. To be the youngest winner is just amazing. But I don’t think age really matters in a competition like this."

Peter, who moved from Northern Ireland four years ago, has been principal trombonist of the National Children’s Band of Great Britain for three years. He is in his third year at Chetham’s School of Music.

His choice of instrument didn’t come as a surprise to his family, who are all brass players.

"I think playing the trombone is fun, it’s something I always wanted to do. I didn’t want to pick a boring instrument," he said."In the future, I'd love to give concerts and entertain people, because I just enjoy playing so much."

Peter’s mum Jane, 46, said: "It’s amazing to think that a year ago I was rushing to Tesco to get Tipp-Ex as I’d filled the form in wrong. Peter wasn’t pleased about having to compete on a Saturday but I think he'll forgive me now."

Jane and husband Grenville, also 46, have 18-year-old twins David and Helen, who joined Peter at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff, for the grand final.

Helen said: "Peter really deserves this. He was fantastic. He just loves playing."

Each of the grand finalists received £2,000 and the opportunity to perform at the Wigmore Hall in London later this year. Peter performed Tomasi’s Trombone Concerto and a contemporary piece, Sang till Lotta, by Swedish composer Jan Sandstrom.