Latest News

The annual search for Australia’s finest young solo musicians has begun and is now at the third Stage with 11 performers battling it out to take home the prestigious title of ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year and the Sir Charles Moses trophy.

Now in its 63rd year, musicians compete in one of three section finals: Strings, Keyboard, and Other Instruments. The youngest competitor is 16-year-old Nicholas Young (Sydney), who is one of the 176 who entered the competition back in October 2006.

After general auditions the 176 competitors were whittled down to 45 and after another series of auditions the final 11 were selected.
 
Each of the three section finals are performed in front of an audience and recorded for broadcast on ABC Classic FM. The three winners of the section finals, progress to the Grand Final for one last play off which is broadcast live on ABC Classic FM. Highlights of the Grand Final held in Perth will also be shown on ABC TV.

The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, a professionally-produced CD of their winning performance, the Sir Charles Moses Trophy and at least three concert engagements with major Australian symphony orchestras.

The category finalists for Strings are: Richard Pollett (21 year old - Queensland); James Wannan (25 years old - Victoria); and Shaun Lee Chen (27 years old - Western Australia).  This performance will be held 14 June with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Ola Rudner at Federation Concert Hall.

The category finalists for Keyboard are: Benjamin Kopp (27 years old - Victoria); Nicholas Young (16 years old - New South Wales); and Misa Yamamoto (25 years old - South Australia). This performance will be held on 22 June with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite at the Adelaide Town Hall.

The category finalists for Other Instruments are: Brock Imison (28 years old - Victoria); Dean Newcomb (22 years old - Victoria); Guy Spielman (19 years old - Queensland); Tristram Williams (29 years old - Victoria) and Lucy Gallup (29 years old - Queensland).  This performance will be held on 25 July with The Queensland Orchestra and conducted by Vladimir Verbitsky at The Queensland Orchestra Studio.

The Stage lll winner of each category receives a cash prize of $5,000 and progresses to the Grand Final, Stage IV.


ABC SYMPHONY AUSTRALIA YOUNG PERFORMERS AWARDS CATEGORY FINALS

THE STRING CATEGORY, 14 June 2007
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ola Rudner at Federation Concert Hall, Hobart. Tickets: (03) 6235 3633 

THE KEYBOARD CATEGORY, 22 June 2007
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite at the Adelaide Town Hall. Tickets: (08) 8233 6233

OTHER INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY, 25 July 2007
The Queensland Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Verbitsky at The Queensland Orchestra Studio. Tickets: (07) 3377 5000

Symphony Services Australia takes a leading role in developing Australia's young artistic achievers. The Young Performers Awards are a highlight of Symphony Services Artist Development Program.

To find out how to tune to ABC Classic FM go to abc.net.au/classic