Raj Bhaumik – Winner of the 2023 CASSGB Young Clarinet Soloist Competition

Congratulations go to Raj Bhaumik from Glasgow, who has won 1st prize in the 2023 CASSGB Young Clarinet Soloist Competion. Raj, who is 18 years old performed a 15 minute recital of music by Zemlinsky, Larsen, and Rabaud at the Craxton Studios, London on 15th January winning the first prize of £1500. Raj studies clarinet with Alison Waller and Timothy Orpen. He is currently on a gap year and has recently been auditioning for clarinet undergraduate performance courses at UK conservatoires.

Six finalists were selected to perform a recital at the Craxton Studios, having previously submitted a preliminary recording. The judging panel of CASSGB President Janet Hilton, Vice-President Andrew Marriner and former Chairman David Campbell decided to award the second prize jointly to Lucas Dick and Lola Frisby Williams. All three prize winners are members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

The finalists who’s ages ranged from 14 to 18, all performed to a high standard. Pictured above from left to right are: Raj Bhaumik, Lucas Dick, Lola Frisby Williams, Gemma Winfield, Edward Hurst, and Oreva Esalomi.