London's 2021 Junior Guildhall Lutine Prize Announced

18-year-old Costa Rican-born violinist Marlon Barrios Araya was awarded first prize

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama announced the winner of its prestigious 2021 Junior Guildhall Lutine Prize.

Born in Costa Rica, Barrios Araya made his solo debut with the Costa Rica National Symphony at age 12 and has studied at Junior Guildhall with Ivo Stankov since 2017. As part of the prize, he will receive a cash award and the opportunity to perform a concerto with a Junior Guildhall ensemble.

"It has been an honor to study at Junior Guildhall, surrounded by promising young musicians and brilliant members of staff who inspire me every day to forge my artistry and musicality," Barrios Araya said.

The competition, first established in 1982, had six finalists, each of whom performed a 20-minute recital. French horn player Daniel Hibbert won second prize.

The judging panel was comprised of composer, conductor, and violinist Shirley J Thompson; Chief Examiner and an Executive Director of ABRSM John Holmes; and Professor of Piano at Guildhall School of Music & Drama Lucy Parham.

"An astonishing evening celebrating the wealth and breadth of talent at Junior Guildhall," Rosie Whitfield, Head of Junior Guildhall, said. "Despite the difficulties we’ve all faced since March 2020, our six finalists rose to the challenge, displaying breath-taking musical mastery. What a fantastic tribute to them, their parents and all those at Junior Guildhall who contributed to making the evening such a fantastic success!”

Previous winners of the Lutine Prize include Thomas Ades and Tom Poster.

Junior Guildhall, located in London, is a Saturday school that offers advanced training to musicians between the ages of four and 18.