Teen musicians Gabriel Jones and Liam Peniston are a double act for the Menuhin Foundation’s scholarship programme: Gabriel came first last year with Liam as the runner-up — and this year the duo switched places.

Fittingly, the two will take the stage this Saturday, at a gala Menuhin fundraiser, “Passport to the World of Wines”, to be held in the Newstead Belmont Hotel’s Beau Rivage restaurant.

For 13-year-old violinist Gabriel, the Menuhin Foundation provided an introduction to the instrument, followed by an “orchestral stepping stone” to performing with others — plus lessons.

“If you’re a scholarship winner, you get to play in the concert,” added Gabriel, who will reprise his piece, The Boy Paganini, from Edward Mollenhauer’s Fantasia in Saturday’s night of music.

“I’ll definitely continue with it — it’s great for college, great to have a reason to play different events with friends.”

Currently starting his third year as leader of the Menuhin youth Orchestra, Gabriel also holds a distinction in Grade Five violin.

For 16-year-old Liam, winning the $1,000 scholarship after taking $500 the previous year as runner-up “really, really gives you confidence — the pushing gives you something to work for, and it comes out in your playing”.

After playing in the community orchestra last year with musicians from around the Island, cellist Liam took the stage for a sonata by Luigi Boccharini.

An accomplished swimmer and diver, Liam aims to try the 10km Round the Sound swim later this year, while Gabriel enjoys running.

Admitting that he initially wanted to follow his friends by taking up the guitar, Liam was swayed to take up the cello and “after the first couple of lessons, I fell in love with it”.

Wine and food aside, the young players’ love of music will be the centrepiece of Saturday’s fundraiser, which begins at 6.30pm.

Tickets are $125 each, available through Foundation trustee Nadia Hamza at 734-6237 or nadiawhamza@gmail.com. They are also on sale from www.bdatix.com.