Translink’s Grand Pianist 2024 winners announced following fabulous final in Belfast Grand Central Station

A ten-year-old Belfast school boy and a humanitarian aid worker from Greyabbey were crowned Translink ‘Grand Pianists’ 2024 following a Northern Ireland-wide competition that attracted more than 100 entrants.

Trevor Fung, who lives in Bangor, won the ’16-and-under’ category, while Brian Longridge took the title in the adult section, after stunning performances in front of a three-strong judging panel.

The winners were announced at the Grand Final of Translink’s ‘Grand Pianist’ competition on Thursday, which saw 12 shortlisted pianists perform in the new integrated Belfast Grand Central Station.

Trevor, who is originally from Hong Kong but moved to Northern Ireland in 2021, said he’s delighted to have won. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “I am so happy to have been chosen as the junior winner of Translink Grand Pianist 2024.” The P7 pupil at Inchmarlo Prep School in Belfast began playing the piano when he was four years old. “I love every aspect of playing the piano so winning this competition is the icing on the cake for me,” he said. “My teacher applied for me, so it’s all a bit unexpected.”

The judges also recognised three highly commended performers; 14-year-old Elodie Bateson from Limavady and 13-year-old Tiernan Colton from Omagh in the 16-and-under category, and 21-year-old Zak Irvine from Bangor in the adult category.

Meanwhile Brian, who was a humanitarian worker in the Philippines and India supporting leprosy patients and juvenile prisoners, said he was thrilled to have won his category. “I’m over the moon to have been named Translink’s adult Grand Pianist 2024,” he said. Brian began piano lessons when he was six years old and has derived immense joy from playing the instrument ever since.

Following a regional roadshow - which saw a concert piano travel to five bus and rail stations throughout August and September -12 finalists from across Northern Ireland were selected to perform at the event finale in the new transport hub.

Belfast born singer-songwriter Rebekah Fitch who composed the music for the BBC Paris Olympics coverage, was a special guest judge for the final alongside professional musician and Head Judge Matthew Owens and Priscilla Rooney, a key member of the Translink Choir.

The 12 finalists were chosen from more than 100 hopeful amateur pianists who performed at the regional heats in Lanyon Place Station, Belfast; Newry Bus Station; North-West Transport Hub, Derry~Londonderry; Bangor Bus and Rail Centre, and Coleraine Bus and Rail Centre.

Rebekah opened the event with a dazzling rendition of her single ‘Loose Ends’, setting the tone for what was an evening of inspiring performances from the Grand Pianist finalists.

The final featured two categories, for 16-years-old and under, and an adult category (over 16), with finalists invited one-by-one to take their place at a baby grand piano positioned in the centre of the impressive new transport hub.

Seizing the opportunity to shine, the pianists each performed a three-minute piece in front of the judging panel and an event audience made up of invited guests, family and friends and members of the public travelling through the station.

Head judge Matthew Owens said Trevor and Brian were worthy winners.

“Northern Ireland has incredible musical talent, and it’s been fantastic being part of this competition, which has provided a platform for people to demonstrate their creativity, passion for piano and impressive ability,” he said.

Translink Group Chief Executive, Chris Conway, said the finale was a fantastic conclusion to an inspired regional roadshow that brought people together in stations across Northern Ireland to celebrate local talent.

“Our ‘GRAND Pianist’ competition clearly created memorable moments of connection for people, and demonstrated how local rail and bus stations are at the very heart of NI communities, connecting people to opportunities and choices.  The excellent in-station performances also sparked surprise and delight from many of the passengers passing through.

“Today’s final at Belfast Grand Central Station always promised to be a spectacular event – and these finalists did not disappoint. I would like to thank the judges for their time and expertise and offer my congratulations to the winners and a big well done to all our finalists and to everyone that took part!”