Royal College of Music talent shines in BBC Young Musician 2024
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Royal College of Music (RCM) pianist Jacky Zhang captivated the judges throughout all stages of the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, earning his place in the final three. RCM Junior Department harpist Jamaal Kashim also impressed the judges securing a unanimous victory in his quarter-final, progressing to the competition’s semi-final.
At 16 years old, pianist Jacky Zhang is already in his fourth year studying at the Royal College of Music, having trained in the Junior Department since he was seven. His performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no 2 in the competition’s final left a lasting impression on the judges who described it as an ‘incredibly powerful, volcanic interpretation’ and were particularly impressed by his ability to convey his musical personality through his performance.
Judging the BBC Young Musician competition were three celebrated figures from the classical music world: multi award-winning trumpeter Alison Balsom; acclaimed composer, producer and pianist Alexis Ffrench; and multi-instrumentalist, researcher and broadcaster Dr Hannah Catherine Jones.
Professor Vanessa Latarche, RCM Head of Keyboard, said: ‘We were delighted to hear Jacky’s performance in the finals of BBC Young Musician. He is an extraordinarily gifted musician, both as pianist and composer, and his interpretation of the Rachmaninov Concerto was highly individual, which promises for so well for his future development as an artist.’
Harpist Jamaal Kashim, currently studying in the RCM Junior Department, also delivered an outstanding performance in the competition’s quarter-final with the judges unanimously deciding him as the winner. Announcing his place in the semi-final, Hannah Catherine Jones described: ‘nothing could have been better, it really touched us and the whole room was spellbound the entire time.’
Miranda Francis, RCM Head of Junior Programmes, said: ‘Jamaal is an incredibly intelligent, gifted and generous musician, who creates beautiful, immersive soundscapes on the harp. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to hear his playing develop over the years here at the RCMJD, and to have his extraordinary musicianship appreciated on a national level.’
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This year’s competition also saw four other RCM Junior Department students reach the final 50 of the competition. Oboists Rhea Jo and Emilia Gahan, flautist Isaac Skey and saxophonist Kezia Colton all performed to the judges in the live auditions, showcasing their remarkable skill and musicality on a national stage.
Open to musicians under the age of 18, BBC Young Musician is one of the UK’s most prestigious classical music awards. Students at the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department have a long history of success, including notable winners such as cellist Laura van der Heijden and the 2022 winner, percussionist Jordan Ashman. Many talented winners have gone on to study at the College including award-winning pianist Martin James Bartlett and acclaimed cellist Natalie Clein.
Find out more about studying at the Royal College of Music and the RCM Junior Department.
Watch the Final of BBC Young Musician 2024.
