18 year old Shrewsbury lad Toby Kearney goes into the final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition on Saturday night already on a high. In winning the percussion final in February, Toby not only beat some excellent musicians and at least one good friend, but was declared the UK's best young percussionist for 2006.
Toby is far too modest to suggest that himself. However, even he admits gaining such critical acclaim on the instrument that he loves is a great feeling. The judges will have to choose between a guitar, piano, clarinet, trumpet and percussion in the final and we'll find out how Toby gets on on Saturday night.
 | | Playing the marimba |
But the chance to perform at the multi-million pound new Sage venue in Gateshead, in front of the Northern Sinfonia, is a great reward in itself. You'll be able to watch Toby Kearney's performance of James MacMillan's Veni Veni Emmanuel at 5.20pm on BBC Two on Saturday 20 May. Only one percussionist has ever won the final, Adrian Spillett in 1998. Like Toby, Adrian comes from Shrewsbury, and the similarities don't end there... Both Toby and Adrian went to Meole Brace School and the Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. Until recently they were practically neighbours, and are still good friends. Toby now hopes to become the second percussionist to win the top prize.
 | | Toby Kearney |
Unlike the other finalists, Toby will be taking his many instruments to Gateshead in a hired truck. While percussionists have more baggage and certainly have to master more instruments than other musicians, the variety of their performance can make for a great spectacle. Tune in to BBC Two at 5.20pm on Saturday 20 May to find out how he gets on. Best of luck Toby! | 
