Royal High School Bath’s Rising Stars Young Pianist Competition

Eight gifted and talented young pianists, aged between 9 and 15, from schools in and around Bath took part in the Rising Stars Young Pianist competition which was held at the Royal High School Bath’s state-of-the-art All-Steinway Music School.

Each played a piece of their choice for judges who included Mark Bradbury, Royal High School Bath’s Director of Music at the Royal High School Bath. 14-year old Yik Fei Elfriede Wong from Kingswood School has been announced as the winner.

Elfriede Wong especially impressed judges with her piece Notturno, Op. 54 No.4 by Grieg. As a result, she was given the opportunity to join Royal High School Bath Music Scholars for a masterclass with the esteemed concert pianist Charles Owen at prominent piano makers Steinway and Sons’ UK headquarters. In an exciting line up of talented young Music Scholars ranging from Years 9 to 12 from Royal High School Bath, Elfriede will also perform her winning piece at an evening recital at Steinway Hall in London.

Commenting on winning the competition, Elfriede Wong, said: “I love music and all it encompasses, so I am thrilled to win the competition, receive the privilege to have a masterclass from Charles Owen and perform at Steinway Hall. Thank you to my piano teacher, friends, family and the music staff at Kingswood for all their encouragement, help and advice. I would also like to thank Steinway & Sons and the judges, especially Mr Bradbury, for organising the competition.”

Second place was awarded to Anna, a Year 8 student at King Edward's School, Bath who performed Somewhere Over The Rainbow, by Arlen arr. Nikki Iles and third place was awarded to Wendy, a Year 5 pupil from Badminton School who performed Rêverie by Debussy. All students that participated in the competition have been invited to record their piece in the professional standard recording studio in Royal High School Bath’s Steinway Music School, mastered by a professional engineer and produced by Royal High School Bath’s Director of Music, Mark Bradbury.

Mark Bradbury, Royal High School Bath’s Director of Music, said: “A massive well done to Elfriede as well as the two runners-up, Anna and Wendy. The judges and I had a fantastic afternoon listening to these wonderfully gifted and talented young pianists performing a variety of pieces. All eight participants were very well prepared and played brilliantly making it difficult for us to choose a winner. In fact, everyone did so well we felt they deserved the opportunity to record their pieces too so have invited all of them to come back and record their pieces in our professional recording studio so they will have a wonderful memento of the competition.”

The competition is an annual event that forms part of Royal High School Bath’s special partnership with Steinway and Sons. With its commitment to excellence in musical education, Royal High School Bath is one of only 250 schools worldwide to gain the prestigious Steinway title, and students benefit by having access to world-class Steinway and Sons pianos, masterclasses by Steinway artists, and performance opportunities throughout the year.

To find out more about opportunities to study Music at Royal High School Bath and our All-Steinway Music School facilities, please visit https://www.royalhighbath.gdst.net/music