For more than 25 years, the Steynor Prize, RGS Musician of the Year, has stood as the school’s premier platform for celebrating outstanding musical talent. This year’s competition once again demonstrated the remarkable depth of musicianship within the School. Following a highly competitive preliminary round involving 16 performers, seven finalists earned their place in the prestigious final: Oscar Ford (voice), Henry Mankabady (violin), Orlando Meadowcroft (voice), Ralph Moggs (voice), Joseph Ryan (piano), Nicholas Yang (piano), and Julian Zou (piano). Their performances combined technical brilliance with musical maturity, making this one of the strongest finals to date.
The adjudicator for the evening was Joseph McHardy, whose distinguished career as a harpsichordist, conductor, former Director of Music at HM Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, and current Director of Music at St Paul’s Girls’ School made him exceptionally well placed to oversee the competition. His experience across a wide range of musical disciplines brought a knowledgeable and perceptive voice to the adjudication process, setting a high standard for evaluation.
This year’s final set a new benchmark. Each performer delivered a programme demonstrating both mastery of technique and a sophisticated level of musical interpretation. With seven performers of such calibre, the challenge of selecting a winner was considerable. McHardy provided thoughtful and constructive feedback before announcing the result, highlighting the individuality and artistic strengths of each performer.
By the narrowest of margins, Joseph Ryan was named this year’s Musician of the Year. His ambitious and highly accomplished performance of the first movement of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 captivated the audience and the adjudicator alike. His interpretation was noted for its expressive lyricism, formidable technical command, and striking composure at the piano. In achieving this, Joseph becomes the first performer in the competition’s history to secure the title twice. He will perform the concerto in full at the Concerto Concert in May, a moment that promises to be a highlight of the musical year.
The competition continues to thrive due to its strong musical foundations and the consistently high standard demonstrated by its performers. The final remains a significant milestone in the RGS musical calendar, offering a platform for the School’s most dedicated young musicians to shine.