Violinist Joo Yeon Sir wins £4,000 Karl Jenkins music performance prize

24 November 2014, 12:49 | Updated: 24 November 2014, 15:48

Violinist Joo Yeon Sir has won £4,000 and the chance to record a piece for broadcast on Classic FM after coming first in The Arts Club Karl Jenkins Classical Music Award last night.

Joo Yeon Sir beat off competition from five other talented finalists at The Arts Club Karl Jenkins Classical Music Award, which is held at the famous club in central London in association with Classic FM.

Joo Yeon is a junior Fellow - and former student - of the Royal College of Music. She has twice won the RCM's Concerto Competition and earlier this year won the RCM’s President’s Award.

As well as her £4,000 prize, Joo Yeon will now record a piece of her choice and a short work composed especially by Karl Jenkins, both of which will be broadcast on Classic FM. The runners up, accordionist Iosif Purits and violinist Benjamin Baker, each received a cash prize of £500.

The other three finalists were Shiry Rashkovsky (viola), Euncho Yeom (recorder) and Andrejs Osokins (piano). During the evening event, candidates were judged based upon their technique, individualism, musicality, interpretation, communication and overall performance.

The finalists performed in front of Chairman Karl Jenkins and a judging panel of internationally renowned soloists Emma Johnson (clarinet) and Julian Lloyd-Webber (cello), Carol Barratt (eminent composer of educational music), Sam Jackson (managing editor, Classic FM) and Kathryn Enticott (Founder and Director of Enticott Music Management (EMM), and former MD at IMG Artist Management).

The Arts Club and Global’s Classic FM have joined artistic forces to not only provide a prominent platform for nurturing and supporting young musicians but to also identify the most exciting young classical talent in Britain.

Jenkins said: "I am delighted to have been able to support the next generation of musicians through The Arts Club Karl Jenkins Classical Music Award, in association with Classic FM.

"The standard of performances from our finalists was incredibly high, and I'm thrilled with the diverse range of applications the Award attracted. Our winner, the violinist Joo Yeon Sir, displayed panache and vitality, and made an emotional connection with both the panel and the wider audience.

"I look forward to continuing to work with both The Arts Club and Classic FM in developing this award over the years to come."