Cellist Eshaan wins prize at élite music festival
Year 11’s Eshaan Anil performance on the cello put him among the prize-winners at the prestigious New Talent Festival 2026 – while the whole QE Music department won its own award, too.
Eshaan’s playing impressed the festival’s panel of judges – senior figures drawn from some of the country’s leading conservatoires.
Congratulating him, Director of Music Ruth Partington said: “Eshaan’s success is a wonderful reflection of his dedication, hard work and musical development, as well as QE’s commitment to musical excellence. We look forward to seeing where his talent and enthusiasm take him next.
“I am, of course, very pleased that the festival judges have also recognised the work that my colleagues and I do to nurture musical talent at QE.”
Now in its ninth year, the New Talent Festival brings together hundreds of young musicians from across the UK and around the world. The festival is currently in residence at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London. Its partners include not only the RAM, but also other leading music centres, such as the Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School.
It was held over four days and included masterclasses, interactive workshops, chamber music coaching and performances, as well as the competition. Over the past eight years, more than 1,600 young musicians from 37 countries have taken part.
Eshaan played the first movement of John Ireland’s Cello Sonata in G Minor and the first movement of Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in G minor, RV 417. He was accompanied by Tadashi Imai, visiting piano teacher at QE.
He took third place in the strings category for his age group.
Eshaan said: “I learnt a lot from the constructive feedback from the head of strings at the RAM, John Hutchins.”
“It was a great experience – competing against such distinguished musicians was thrilling,” he added.
The Music department’s Certificate of Virtuoso Music Teaching Centre Award was given in recognition of its excellence in teaching Music. The certificate was signed by nine senior musicians from academia, including: Professor Jo Cole, the RAM’s Professor of Cello; Professor Steven Wilkie, the Royal Northern College of Music’s Professor of Violin; and Mr Hutchins, who is the RAM’s Head of Junior Academy.