January / February 2026
Young Soloist Competition
Birley Centre
Programme for the final
Here is the archived ESO concert featuring Sofia Demetriades on 21 June 2026
Winner (£1,000), the John Crawshaw Award, Sofia Demetriades who also won
the St Cecilia Bequest in the junior category (best competitor aged 17 and under) (£350)
Graham Jones, chair of the adjudicating panel, said: ‘The judges were very impressed, as ever, with the high standard of performances from all competitors. As I said in my closing remarks, they all have the ability to be successes in tbe musical world. I was particularly pleased this year that our decision about Sofia was quick and unanimous.’
Sofia Demetriades with Vicky Henley (John Crawshaw’s daughter)
Merton Cox (ESO President and donor), Kaelyn Soh, winner of the Cox Memorial Award (£650) with the Mayor
Colonel Howes Memorial Award (£400) Vlada Mitriuc
with accompanist Radu Stoica (winner of the Norah Sande Piano Competition 2025 and soloist with the ESO October 2025)
Runner-up (£200) Emily Ambrose
Runner-up (£200) Nicole Wu
Chaeyu Lee winner of the Duke of Devonshire Award (second prize in the junior category for competitors aged 17 and under) (£200)
