Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians’ Competition 2019


2019 Competitors


Fangwei Zhao, Winner

The WMSO Young Musicians’ Competition took place on Sunday 13th October 2019, at St. Piran’s School, Maidenhead. There were eight competitors aged from 14 to 19, both from the local area and from further afield. As in previous years the Competition proved to be a most fascinating musical experience, the standard of playing being exceptionally high. Each entrant played a short recital before an appreciative audience. The panel of three adjudicators consisted of Leon Gee, the conductor of the Windsor and Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra, Robert Roscoe the Conductor Laureate of the Orchestra, and the pianist Nigel Wilkinson.

The first place was awarded to the 19 year old pianist Fangwei Zhao, a student at the Royal Northern College of music, for her exceptional playing. Second place was awarded to the 15 year old violinist Yinong, Xiao who currently attends the Purcell School of Music. Third place was awarded to Andrea Lam who is a music scholar at Wellington College. As the prize for winning the competition Fangwei will play a concerto with the orchestra during the 2020 –2021 season.

The Orchestra is most grateful to Handel Pianos Ltd. of Sunningdale who kindly sponsored the event by providing the grand piano and to both the Louis Baylis Trust and the Spoore Merry and Rixman Foundation for their generous sponsorship.

Read about previous YMC Competitions here.