Fergus Butt, Bassoon, from Helensburgh, Scotland, is a bassoonist that began his studies in 2022 at the Royal Academy of Music in London, kindly supported by an ABRSM scholarship, studying with Robin O’Neill, Jonathan Davies, Fraser Gordon, Peter Whelan and Simon Estell. After enrolling in RAM, Fergus went on to win the Academy’s Bassoon Prize in his first year and take up a second study in historical performance on both Baroque and Classical bassoons, alongside a related study in Contrabassoon.

Fergus has since played professionally with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the Philharmonia, Knussen Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Peforming in festivals such as the BBC Proms, the Edinbugh festival and the Aldeburgh festival.

Siyuan Xu, pianist, (b.1999) is London-based pianist, chamber musician and collaborator.
Her style is enthusiastic and confident, with deliciated layers of sound and
warmth of colour. Her interests in music across a wide arrange of genres from
classic romantic period to underperformed works by women composer and
contemporary music. Siyuan has graduated with a Master of Arts in Ensemble
Piano from the Royal Academy of Music July 2024 and is currently continuing her
study at the academy on a Professional Diploma degree under the supervision of
James Baillieu, Joseph Middleton, and Anna Tillbrook.
As a solo pianist, Siyuan has won prizes and competitions since age of 7,
including the Final National Piano First Prize in China of KJC Asian International
Art Festival, and the Third prize of Taiwan International Piano Elite Open
Competition. Her recent notable solo performance including recitals St. Stephen
Walbrook in London, Elgar concert hall and Wylde Green URC Church in
Birmingham, and Chateau Voltaire Fort L’Écluse in France.
Siyuan is also a keen chamber musician. She is duo partner with cellist
Danushka Edirisinghe, Josie Campbell, Hoda Jahanpour, Samuel Vincent, and
Owen Graham . She has performed at the venues across London including
Southwark Cathedral, St. Marylebone Parish Church, Brady Arts Centre, and
Regent’s Hall. She is the pianist in Qima trio, together with cellist Yena Gook and
violinist Emily Harrison. The trio took part in the process of “Cry Out Loud” recital
series at Wigmore Hall and Jacob Barnes Prize at the Royal Academy of Music.
The trio had a sold-out lunchtime recital this February which they showcased a
programme of French repertoires by women composers including Lili Boulanger
and Louise Farrenc.
Siyuan is a prize-winning song accompanist. She recently worked with Mezzo-
Soprano Sophie Patterson, they showcased a series of songs by Poulenc,
Bernstein, and composers Felix Penna-Hurst, James Garner and Will Harmer in
Leatherhead. With Soprano Harriet Cameron, they are the finalist of Ashburnham
English Song Awards and where they performed a series of English songs
themed “under the moon” on May 16 th . With Soprano Sophia Yan Jin, Siyuan was
awarded the Major Van Someren-Godfery Prize for Accompanist at Academy
Vocal recital in December 2023.

Programme TBC