Pianist Rowel Friers has been named the winner of the St Columb’s Hall Concerto Award 2026, following a high-stakes Finalists’ Concert on 7 February in the Throne Room of Northern Ireland’s Royal residence. The award recognises exceptional artistry and marks a major international platform for emerging pianists.
A student of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Friers delivered a performance of authority and imagination, standing out in a final that brought together outstanding young musicians from across Europe and beyond. He was selected from an international field that included Marco Antonio Reyes Cervantes of Mexico and Vilhelm Moqvist of Sweden.
This year’s final launched a new collaboration between Le Foyer des Artistes and Historic Royal Palaces, placing world-class performance at the heart of an historic setting. The event united musical excellence with architectural grandeur, reinforcing the value of ambitious platforms for the next generation of artists.
Friers’ award continues a period of rapid artistic growth. In recent seasons, he has attracted attention for performances of clarity, drive, and musical intelligence, including a critically acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall. At 23, he represents a cohort of RIAM musicians building international careers through discipline, curiosity, and sustained artistic commitment.
A collaboration that champions excellence
The concert was delivered with the support of Yamaha Music Europe, whose partnership with Le Foyer des Artistes ensured performance conditions of the highest calibre. A Yamaha CFX Concert Grand was transported from London specifically for the occasion, enabling each finalist to perform at their full expressive range.
International adjudication
An expert jury brought broad industry perspective to the final decision. The panel included Keelan Carew of BBC Radio 3, pianist and broadcaster, Graham Scott, Head of Keyboard Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, and Gail Henry, RTÉ Senior Producer and Chair of the European Broadcasting Union Classical Music Board at RTÉ.
Performances ahead in 2026
As winner of the Concerto Award, Friers will return to the stage for a headline appearance at the Midsummer Gala Concert on 6 June 2026. His award also includes recital engagements in Cagliari and a performance at Musica Insieme in Bologna, placing him within one of Europe’s most respected festival contexts.
John Harkin, Chairman of Le Foyer des Artistes and Alchemy Technology Services, part of NTT Data, reflected on the significance of the new partnership, noting that the collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces and Yamaha Music Europe establishes a powerful and lasting platform for young pianists at a decisive stage in their careers.
Rowel Friers’ success speaks to the strength of focused musical training and to the importance of giving emerging artists space to lead, take risks, and perform at the highest level. At RIAM, we support musicians who shape their own artistic paths and bring Ireland’s musical voice onto the world stage.