RCM Junior Department musicians reach BBC Young Musician finals

Wednesday 7 February 2018

Four talented young musicians from the Royal College of Music Junior Department, plus RCMJD alumna Stephanie Childress, will compete in this year’s BBC Young Musician category finals.

Junior Department players Marie Sato (flute), Francis Bushell (bassoon), Toril Azzalini-Machecler (percussion) and Will Duerden (double bass) are taking part in the prestigious competition, which is broadcast on BBC Four over the next few months.

Miranda Francis, Head of Junior Programmes at the Royal College of Music, comments: ‘I am delighted that students from the RCM Junior Department will once again be taking part in the BBC Young Musician category finals.  We have some incredible musicians performing this year, and they have been supported and encouraged by an exceptional team of RCM and RCMJD teachers. We are all very proud of them, and wish them well!’

The RCM’s Junior Department has a track-record of success in the competition with pianist Lara Melda winning in 2010, followed by cellist Laura van de Heijden in 2012. Most recently pianist Martin James Bartlett took home the trophy in 2014, following a memorable performance of Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and has since gone to study on the BMus programme at the College.