The Final of the BBC Young Musician Competition 2026 is broadcast on Sunday 1st November at 7:00 pm on BBC 2. My student, Kezia Colton, is set to represent the saxophone performing Takashi Yoshimatsu Cyber Bird Concerto.
Kezia has studied with me since 2020 at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and, having been the only saxophonist to reach the live audition stage in 2024, Kezia was determined to progress further in 2026.
It’s the third time in the competition’s history that the saxophone has been represented in the final – Jess Gillam in 2016 and Rob Burton in 2018. Kezia went through four previous rounds to reach the final:
- Video submission (December 2025): David Salleras Caprice No. 3 for solo soprano saxophone, Gotkovsky Brillance mvts. 3 & 4 for alto saxophone and piano.
- Live audition (Bath, March 2026): David Salleras Recerca II for solo soprano saxophone, Gotkovsky Brillance mvts. 3 & 4 for alto saxophone and piano.
- Quarter-final (Swansea, 8th July 2026): Fernande Decruck Sonate en Ut # mvt. 1 for alto saxophone and piano, Antonio Pasculli Le Api for soprano saxophone and piano.
- Semi-final (Swansea, 9th July 2026): Antonio Pasculli Le Api for soprano saxophone and piano, Marcello Concerto in C minor for oboe mvt. 2 arr. for soprano saxophone and piano, Roberto Molinelli Tango club from Four Pictures from New York for alto saxophone and piano.
- Final (Bristol, 15th October 2026): Takashi Yoshimatsu Cyber Bird Concerto for solo alto saxophone, with solo parts for piano and percussion, and symphony orchestra.
Whilst preparing for the Young Musician competition, Kezia refined her circular breathing skills to take on the impressive feat to perform Le Api, a five-minute work with only one space for a regular breath. Kezia was also performing regularly with the Royal College of Music Junior Department Saxophone Quartet alongside Nina, Rory, and Jake, and reached the final of the Gordon Turner competition at the RCMJD. Kezia also studied jazz saxophone at the Junior Department with Mornington Lockett. Away from the saxophone, Kezia completed her A levels (Music, French, Spanish) and maintained her busy social life with her friends and family. It was wonderful to see Kezia’s parents and three older brothers supporting Kezia along the journey, with many of her friends and extended family making the journeys to Swansea and Bristol to support Kezia in the live performances. One of Kezia’s brothers even made the dress she performed in for the concerto final.
Throughout the competition Kezia worked closely with pianist Tony Ingham, who has accompanied Kezia for several years. The final concerto, Cyber Bird, written for full symphony orchestra, also has solo parts for piano and percussion. Kezia invited Tony to take on the solo piano role with former Royal College of Music Junior Department student Jordan Ashman playing solo percussion. Jordan was the 2022 winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year. Since his success in the competition Jordan has been juggling a busy career as a solo percussionist and orchestral player with his studies. He graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in June 2026 and has recently begun a master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music.
Kezia is now set to take up her place at the Paul Dukas Conservatoire in Paris, studying with saxophonist Jerome Laran. I will continue to support Kezia every step of the way and look forward to seeing what comes next for this talented saxophonist.