The inaugural Classical Music Award is the Arts Club’s collaboration with Decca Records. The Club is what they said “instituted for the purpose of facilitating the social intercourse of those connected with, or interested in Art, Literature or Science”.

Bartholomew LaFollette took first place worth £5000 and an opportunity to perform for the Yellow Lounge classical club series. LaFollette performed alongside three fellow finalists to compete for the winning title – Ksenija Sidorova (accordion), Viviana Lasaracina (piano) and Rebeca Omordia (piano). On the panel of judges were executive producer from Decca Classics, Alexander Van Ingen; James Williams from the Philharmonia Orchestra; composer Gabriel Prokofiev; and bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku.
The Arts Club and Decca Records have joined forces ‘to not only provide a prominent platform for nurturing and supporting young musicians but to also identify the most exciting young classical talent in Britain’.