Back to latest news

Demetriades Takes BBC Young Musician Title in Historic Final

The violinist's win was revealed in a broadcast of the previously recorded final.

Your learning

Loading your learning…

Entertainment news editorial illustration for Violinist Sofia Demetriades Wins BBC Young Musician 2026

Beginner support · Translation help

Read with help in your language

Choose a language to see each paragraph translated below the English. Tap highlighted words for a quick meaning.

, an 18-year-old , has 2026 with the of . She is the to the in 2004.

The were and . to The , it was the in the 48-year .

The was at on 15 and on 1, the was . has an at of .

Source: BBC Music Magazine, 2026-11-01.

Read · Think · Practise

Try this story

Try 3 questions about this story, then explain one idea in your own words. Check the text whenever you need to.

Print a worksheet · Teacher guide & answers

Read and understand · 1/3Who was the previous violinist to win the title before Demetriades?

Read the answer and explanation

Nicola Benedetti. The first paragraph names Nicola Benedetti as the previous violinist winner in 2004.

Clue: Sofia Demetriades, an 18-year-old violinist, has won BBC Young Musician 2026 after performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She is the first violinist to take the title since Nicola Benedetti in 2004.

Read and understand · 2/3Which instruments did the other two finalists play?

Read the answer and explanation

Recorder and saxophone. The second paragraph identifies a recorder player and a saxophonist.

Clue: The other finalists were recorder player Alma Nunez Debretzeni and saxophonist Kezia Colton. According to The Guardian, it was the first all-female final in the competition's 48-year history.

Read and understand · 3/3Which statement correctly compares the dates of the final?

Read the answer and explanation

It was recorded October 15 and broadcast November 1.. The last paragraph gives October 15 as the recording date and November 1 as the broadcast date.

Clue: The final was recorded at Bristol Beacon on October 15 and broadcast on November 1, when the result was revealed. Demetriades has begun an undergraduate course at London's Royal Academy of Music.

Your turn

Why was the final notable, and how did the recording date differ from the broadcast date?

See one possible answer

It was the competition's first all-female final. It was recorded on October 15 and broadcast on November 1.

Your answer can be different. Give a reason and use your own words.

0 of 3 questions checked.

Tell us what helped or felt difficult

Which reading level did you try? Was a sentence unclear? Did the questions help you understand the story?

Send feedback by email

Your three-minute English break

A little English in your inbox.

One short story, one useful phrase, one quick question. Free, up to twice a week.