Susan Tomes Music Prize awarded to two students
Now in its second year and established by renowned concert pianist and writer Susan Tomes (KC 1972), the Susan Tomes Prize for Music aims to recognise the positive impact that all forms of music have on the King’s community. Nominations are invited from Fellows, staff and students who had been moved by a moment of music making by a student of the College.
The winners of the 2025 Susan Tomes Prize are MPhil student Cristóbal Palisson (who has since graduated) and fifth year medic James Wang. They received a cash prize and a copy of Susan’s book The Piano: A History in 100 Pieces.
Cristóbal (MPhil in Classics) was nominated for being “invaluable in resurrecting the Provost’s Lodge series”. Those nominating him mentioned that Cristóbal "has programmed a long series of engaging and enjoyable concerts. His passion and enthusiasm for the concert series is outstanding and when on occasion he has played piano in one, it has always been beautiful.”
James received the award with the following citation: “James Wang has excelled in countless classical, choral, and jazz settings at King’s as a talented pianist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, but what is truly unique about James is his capacity to create an encouraging, inclusive, and meaningful environment for music making. James is undeniably a highly-skilled musician, and each time I have heard him play I have been astounded by his technique and emotional expression. More poignantly, though, when playing in 'Jazz Reflections' organised by James last term, I witnessed firsthand his open-mindedness, kindness, and nonjudgemental nature.”
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Susan Tomes was the first woman to read music at King’s, arriving in 1972 as part of the first cohort of female undergraduates. She is one of the UK’s most renowned concert pianists and the author of seven books. Her most recent, Women and the Piano – a History in Fifty Lives, goes hand-in-hand with her performances of music by female pianist-composers who have historically been neglected.