Here is the star-studded line-up of gifted youngsters battling it out for glory in Harborough's virtual Junior X Factor competition

A Market Harborough music charity has unveiled the star-studded line-up of gifted youngsters battling it out for glory in their first ever virtual Junior X Factor competition.

Excited Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) is now preparing to stage the much-anticipated final shoot-out online on Saturday March 27.

A panel of expert judges spent six hours watching nearly 60 video entries submitted by outstanding young local musicians.

They had a hard time selecting who made the final cut because the standard was very high.

But 14 singers and instrumentalists hit the required score of 100 out of 125 to make it to the Finals Concert - which will be shown on Youtube.

The Finals Concert will also feature the top entries in the composition category, which are still being scored, and a virtual performance by GBRT Youth Vocal Choir.

Set up 17 years ago, the Trust has been running a successful annual Junior X Factor talent competition since 2008.

But this year the contest has taken on a new format amid the coronavirus pandemic as face-to-face heats have been replaced by video entries and a virtual concert.

The tournament is open to all composers, singers and instrumentalists in school years 1-13 who live within 20 miles of Market Harborough.

The Trust aims to give “young people an opportunity to increase their confidence and musical skills”.

Every entrant has received constructive written feedback from the judges with suggestions for future improvement.

The competition is free to enter and prizes worth a total of £875 will be awarded in the following categories:

- Best Vocal Performance will receive £25 music store vouchers and £175 vocal lessons funded by GBRT

- Best Instrumental Performance will receive £50 music store vouchers and £150 instrumental lessons funded by GBRT

- Best Original Composition will receive £200 music store vouchers

- One of the above category winners will also be chosen as the Overall Winner of the competition, and will receive an additional £50 music store vouchers

- Most promising vocalist and most promising instrumentalist will each receive £100 vocal or instrumental lessons funded by GBRT

- Most Promising Composer will receive £25 music store voucher.

Sue Benson, GBRT’s Managing Trustee, said: “When we decided to take the competition online we had no idea what the response would be.

“So we are delighted to have received as many entries as we would in a normal year.

“It has been lovely to see a lot of new faces as well as many returning entrants - and an almost even split between singers and instrumentalists.”

She added: “Our aim was to give young people something positive to focus on and work towards during lockdown.

“And from the positive feedback that we have received I think we have achieved this.

“We have 14 very talented young people in the Finals Concert, aged from six to 18 years, and we are very excited to share their performances with everyone.”

The Finals Concert will be premiered on Youtube at 7pm on Saturday March 27.

The Trust is sharing the link on their website, https://www.gbrecitaltrust.co.uk/junior-x-factor nearer the time.

“It will be a fantastic evening of music and we will announce the prize winners during the concert,” added Sue.

The finalists are (Name, age category and instrument)

Ava Lister (School Years 7-9) - Singing

Boris Dring (School Years 7-9) - Piano

Ciaran Reiff-Marganiec (School Years 7-9) - Cornet

Ellie Copping (School Years 1-6) - Singing

Emmeline Rose Hamilton (School Years 1-6) - Lever Harp

Gwenan Richards (School Years 1-6) - Tenor Horn

Harry Attenborough (School Years 1-6) - Guitar

Ione Banks (School Years 10-13) - Singing

Isabella Lynn Juarez (School Years 1-6) - Piano

Isla Reiff-Marganiec (School Years 7-9) - Violin

Lily Vasey (School Years 1-6) - Singing

Lotti Timson (School Years 10-13) - Singing

Naomi Benson (School Years 10-13) - Cello

Riley Vick (School Years 1-6) - Trombone