YOUNGSTERS in the Ripon area are tuning up for their annual big musical challenge.

They are preparing for the city's Young Musicians of the Year 2006 - a celebration of the talent of young people who live, or are at school or have private music lessons, in the HG4 postcode area.

Among them are pianists Alasdair Simpson, 12, and Nathan Wall-Jones, 13.

Alasdair, who lives in Kirby Hill, is a student at Ripon Grammar School and has been studying the piano for three years. He also enjoys playing the bass guitar.

Nathan, a pianist for just over two years, lives in Ripon and attends Boroughbridge High School. He is taking part in a production of the musical Bugsy Malone.

Both are busy practising for the competition, which takes place on May 6 at Ripon Grammar School.

The contest is open to the under-19s, and the event includes a non-competitive performance platform for players and singers of any age.

Sponsor and organiser David Winpenny said: "We know music teachers in the area are keen to provide opportunities for their students to perform.

"This competition offers young musicians the experience of performing in front of an audience and receiving helpful feedback from the adjudicator.

"With the deadline for entries approaching, we hope that lots of young people will take up the challenge."

Adjudicator for the event is Simon Wright, organist, teacher and conductor, who for the past three years has conducted at the Classical Brit Awards, in the Royal Albert Hall. He lives near Helmsley and, until recently, was organist at Ampleforth Abbey.

The closing date for entries is Friday, March 31. Leaflets and entry forms are available at Ripon City Music, which is sponsoring the prizes, as well as at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and other outlets as well as at www.rymy.co.uk