Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a year 12 pupil at the Trinity Catholic School in Aspley proved he is the best young musician in the country with his performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No 1.
After months of qualifying rounds, 17-year-old Sheku was one of the three young musicians who made it to the final of the prestigious competition, held earlier this month at the Barbican in London and broadcast on BBC Four and Radio 3.
It was the latest in a string of achievements for Sheku. He is a junior scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studies cello with Ben Davies, and plays in the Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first professional Black and minority ethnic (BME) orchestra. He also reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent last year in a classical group with his brothers and sisters.
During the final of the BBC Young Musician 2016 competition Sheku performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, in front of a live audience.
Composer Dobrinka Tabakova, the chair of the judges, described Sheku’s performance as “sincere and moving”.
She added: “He was electric. There was something about the way he drew the audience in. In today’s society, which seems to be swept by mediocrity, he shows how hard work, dedication and talent can lift you out.”
Sheku was delighted to win the title. ”It’s a wonderful feeling,” he said. “I’m so grateful for all the support from my family, the Junior Royal Academy of Music, my teacher Ben Davies and Chineke!, who have helped me on this extraordinary journey.”
Sheku’s fellow finalists were French horn player Ben Goldscheider, 18, and saxophonist Jess Gillam, 17.
Since its launch in 1978, the competition has built a reputation for finding outstanding new talent. Former winners and finalists include Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti.
For more details, visit www.bbc.co.uk/youngmusician