In Conversation with Junior Guildhall alumni Jixuan and Noah

It's been quite the year for Jixuan (Junior Guildhall 2024) and Noah (Junior Guildhall 2026) who, in August, heard the BBC Concert Orchestra performing their music, following their win at the biennial BBC Young Composers competition in 2025.

We caught up with them to talk about life after Junior Guildhall, a year of mentorship with the BBC and what it’s like to be commissioned to write for a world-class orchestra.
 

As winners of BBC Young Composer 2025, you've just finished a full year of mentorship. How has this experience been for you both?

Jixuan: It's been a truly life-changing experience. Working with the BBC and my mentor Gavin Higgins on my commission has been such an honour and I've learnt so much about composing. Working with a professional orchestra, I've gained so many valuable insights beyond just putting pen to paper!

Noah: I've always loved the music of Gavin Higgins, so to have him as my mentor for a year was an amazing experience. It feels very rewarding to have completed my piece, and the workshops with the BBC Concert Orchestra have been very useful.
 

What was it like to hear the BBC Concert Orchestra perform your compositions in August?

Jixuan: Hearing the BBC Concert Orchestra performing my composition has been truly phenomenal. It is not every day that you get to hear a world class orchestra playing your music! Tess Jackson (conductor) and the orchestra breathed life into my music and brought it from ink on a page to music that the audience can immerse themselves in, whether in person at the BBC Proms concert or listening on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds. 
 
Noah: It was definitely a one-of-a-kind experience, especially since I had never had one of my pieces performed before.

Listen to Jixuan and Noah's performances on BBC Sounds.   
 

Can you tell us about your winning compositions and the inspiration behind them?

Jixuan: My winning composition is called Away in a Quasar, depicting life on a joyous faraway planet facing imminent disaster. It is written for an unconventional quintet, consisting of a flute, a theremin, a viola, a vibraphone, and a harp; they combine and employ extended techniques to create an ethereal and otherworldly timbre. Inspired by my fascination of astronomy and my love of nature, I wrote this piece as an intellectual and musical exploration into unknown lands and ideas that are yet to be discovered and imagined. 

Noah: My piece was titled Plus C, which is a reference to my love for maths. It is in three parts, which describes the process of forming connections in this generation. Part 1 is called Curiosity, which is all about discovery at younger ages. Everything is very disconnected, with the strings split by desks. The second part is Community, where instrument families are presented individually. The final section is where everything comes together - Connection. Forming a climax where there are always two or more players with similar material.
 

Jixuan, you spent six years at Junior Guildhall, graduating in 2024, and Noah you graduated this year after four years. Looking back, how was your Junior Guildhall experience? Are there any particular teachers, projects or experiences that stand out?

Jixuan: Saturday was my favourite day for the six years I was at Junior Guildhall. I felt so grateful to be encouraged to experiment and explore my musical voice. My most memorable experiences at Junior Guildhall were during Composition Workshop, which was taught by Michael Christie and Rhiannon Randle. There, I explored genres of music from all around the world, learning so much about compositional techniques and acting as a catalyst for my creativity. My one-to-one lessons with Michael Christie (composition), Gareth Owen (piano), and Eulalie Charland (violin) have been the backbone of my musical journey, and I've deeply enjoyed exploring music beyond my repertoire in Paul Whitmarsh's Musical Awareness classes and choir with Marek Maryniak. 

Noah: I loved my time at Junior Guildhall, especially playing in ensembles as a violinist. This really opened my eyes to repertoire I probably wouldn't have been exposed to if it weren't for the orchestras and chamber groups I took part in.
 

What's next for you? What are you working on now?

Jixuan: I am excited to continue exploring my compositional voice through experimenting with different styles and instrumentation. Currently, I am working on solo choral works and works for piano and soprano.

Noah: I'm currently studying maths at Warwick University, but making sure to keep music a big part of my life. I am continuing to compose, and am almost finished writing a clarinet concerto. I have a lot more planned for the future.
 

What advice would you give to young composers who have recently graduated from a performing arts school that might not know what to do next? 

Jixuan: From my personal experience, I feel incredibly lucky to have been equipped with the language of music. If you’re a young composer, I would encourage you to draw inspiration from your own life and write music that is unique to you. Explore your musical voice by expressing your experiences and feelings through music. Also, collaborate with other musicians! Experiment by listening to your music in real life - it can add a lot of depth to your compositions.

Noah: Keep composing and trying to put your skills out there. No idea is a bad idea when it comes to composition.
 

How do you both stay motivated? 

Jixuan: I love exploring the countryside. There, inspiration is never scarce. Nature is so complex and dynamic. There is always something to write about, whether as short improvisations or full compositions. Also, I am always motivated to compose for my musical friends to play!

Noah: The satisfaction of a completed project always keeps me going. But it is important not to rush things just to get it finished.

Find out more about Junior Guildhall at gsmd.ac.uk/junior-guildhall. Applications to join in September 2027 will open in January. Sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear more information. 

Junior Guildhall is part of Guildhall Young Artists, Guildhall School's network of centres that provides inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people.
 

_{Photo of Jixuan performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the BBC Proms.}