Two Royal Conservatoire of Scotland students have been named among the three finalists in BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Classical Musician of the Year 2026.

Bachelor of Music pianist Anastasia‑Maria Barbu and Junior Conservatoire of Music oboist Alasdair Cottee are through to the grand final at Glasgow’s City Halls on 30 May, joining cellist Finn Mannion.

Anastasia-Maria began her studies at the age of eight in her hometown of Brasov, Romania. She is now in her final undergraduate year at RCS.

Junior Conservatoire of Music oboist Alasdair Cottee, from East Lothian, is also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and currently serves as Principal Oboe of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

The finalists will perform with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in front of a live audience and judging panel, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland.

The semi‑finals, which were held on Sunday 22 March in the Stevenson Hall at RCS, saw nine performers take to the stage before a live audience and panel of industry judges – composer and saxophonist Jay Capperauld and James Waters, Chief Executive and Joint Artistic Director of the Lammermuir Festival – both RCS graduates. They were joined by Claire Innes-Hopkins, Director of Chapel Music at the University of St Andrews.

Hosted by RCS alumnus Jamie MacDougall, it brought together young musicians from across Scotland.

Photos © Martin Shields