The biennial BBC Young Composer competition attracted more than 400 entries from across the UK, with genres from rock, pop and jazz to classical and choral. Each composition was assessed on its compositional idea, creativity, and originality, and was judged anonymously over an intense two-stage process involving eight judges.

Jixuan (Sixth Form, BB) was named as one of two winners in the 15- to 16 year old category, and one of six winners overall, thanks to his Away in a Quasar, a mysterious and quiet work about intergalactic exploration, written for a rather unusual chamber group of flute, viola, theremin, vibraphone and harp, and depicting the discovery and destruction of a magical planet deep in the cosmos. It comes at an especially pressing time in the fight against climate change, a cause about which Jixuan is passionate.

He will now participate in a tailored development programme working with a mentor composer on a project with the BBC Concert Orchestra, culminating in a performance or broadcast opportunity.

On his win, Jixuan — who plays piano, violin and viola, and who has previously studied composition at the Junior Guildhall of Music and Drama — said: “It feels unreal! I am so honoured to have been selected as one of the winners for BBC Young Composer 2025. When I found out, it was the interval of a concert I was performing at, and I was left speechless! I was so excited I rushed to tell my friends backstage just before going on for the second half.

“I am really excited to learn from top composers, and I feel extremely privileged to be working with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Hopefully with this opportunity, a future path for a composition career might be something I will pursue!”

Music has always been a very important part of life at Westminster. Pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine which is full of rehearsals, recitals and concerts. Many internationally renowned musicians have been educated at the school including Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Roger Norrington, Ian Bostridge, Sir George Benjamin, Julian Anderson, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gavin Rossdale, Mika, Dido, and Grace Chatto and Neil Amin-Smith from Clean Bandit. The School offers Music Scholarships annually.