News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Sofia Demetriades Wins BBC Young Musician

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Violinist Sofia Demetriades has been named the winner of BBC Young Musician 2026. The 18-year-old performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

The other finalists were recorder player Alma Nunez Debretzeni and saxophonist Kezia Colton. The Guardian reported that it was the first final with only female musicians in the competition's 48-year history.

The concert was recorded at Bristol Beacon on October 15. It was broadcast on November 1, when the result became public. Demetriades is the first violinist to win the competition since 2004.

Source: BBC Music Magazine, 2026-11-01. https://www.classical-music.com/news/sofia-demetriades-wins-bbc-young-musician-2026

Read and practise

1. Which piece did Demetriades perform?

   1. Fitkin's Recorder Concerto
   2. Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
   3. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto

2. What did The Guardian say was unusual about the final?

   1. All the finalists were women for the first time.
   2. All the finalists played violin for the first time.
   3. It was the first final broadcast on television.

3. When did the result become public?

   1. October 15
   2. November 15
   3. November 1

Your turn

Explain the difference between the recording date and the date the result became public.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/sofia-demetriades-bbc-young-musician-violin-2026/level-2/