Purcell School Pupil, Martin James Bartlett wins BBC Young Music

Purcell School pupil, Martin James Bartlett (aged 17) has won this year's BBC Young Musician. Following in the footsteps of fellow Purcellian Lara Melda, who won in 2010, Martin took the coveted title with a concerto performance of breathtaking quality and virtuosity.

Martin beat over 450 hopeful young musicians, winning the keyboard class with performances of music by Bach, Liszt and Barber, and then being chosen from five semi-finalists to play in the concerto final against Elliott Gaston-Ross (percussion) and Sophie Westbrooke (recorder). Martin performed Rachmaninov's Variations on a Theme by Paganini with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kirill Karabits. His performance was broadcast live on BBC4 and BBC Radio 3.

Martin has been a pupil at The Purcell School since 2010 where he learns the piano with Emily Jeffrey. His place at the School is funded by the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme. Next year, Martin has chosen to continue his piano studies at the Royal College of Music, where he has been awarded a four-year Foundation Scholarship.

• The Purcell School is funded largely by the Government's Music and Dance Scheme which, along with its own scholarship funds, ensures all pupils join the School on the strength of their musical potential irrespective of their parents' ability to pay.

• The Purcell School is a Centre of Excellence and was awarded the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribution to music, education and international culture.

• It is proud of its consistent success in national and international competitions. It has an extensive programme of outreach and community work. Its orchestras, ensembles and instrumentalists give concerts throughout London, the UK and abroad.

• The Royal patron of the school is HRH The Prince of Wales. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa DBE, Vladimir Ashkenazy CBE and Jenny Agutter FRSA, Hon DLit as a governor are also patrons of the school. In 2003, the school was awarded the acclaimed UNESCO Mozart Gold medal in recognition of its unique contribution to music, education and international culture. Sir Simon Rattle is the President of the school.

• Entry to the Purcell School is by audition. Qualifying pupils receive funding from the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme whilst others are supported by generous trusts and benefactors.