The hunt is on for the finest young musicians in the area.

Up and coming instrumentalists have until Friday (October 23) to enter the prestigious 2015 Young Musicians of the Year competition organised by Chester Music Society.

Open to those living within 40 miles of the city the competition, for those age up to 18, will take place on Sunday, November 15 at The King’s School in Chester.

Prizes total £550 in addition to the much sought after title and trophy which in previous years has been won by instrumentalists playing the cello, oboe and piano.

The King's School in Chester

The overall winner, chosen from the winners of the three individual categories, together with the other prize winners, will also give a public performance organised by the music society at St Mary’s Centre, Chester on January 20 next year.

Competitors will be judged in three classes:

Class 1 up to and including age 12 and playing to at least grade 3 standard.

Class 2 age 13 to 15 playing to at least grade 6 standard.

Class 3 age 16 to 18 playing to at least grade 8 standard.

All instruments are welcome other than the organ.

The competition starts at 10am and is open to the public. Admission is £5.

Programme of their choice

Each competitor will be required to perform a varied 15 minute programme of their own choice.

The competition will be judged by Richard Howarth who has had a distinguished career as a violinist, leading and directing orchestras for more than 30 years.

Locally he is a regular guest conductor with the Chester Philharmonic and Wrexham Symphony orchestras.

Details are available at www.chestermusicsociety.org.uk.

In addition to the competition, the music society also offers bursaries worth £500 to applicants who show outstanding promise and undertake to use them to advance their musical education at college.