Finalists for the 2024 Concerto Competition

Congratulations to all of the Performers at the KPO NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition Semi Finals on Sunday 7 April, at Abbotsleigh.

10 Junior and 10 Senior Entrants played for our 3 Adjudicators, Carrie Dennis, Acting Principal Viola of the SSO (former Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic and LA Philharmonic), Neal Peres Da Costa, Professor of Historical Performance and Keyboard at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Paul Terracini, Australian composer conductor and educator and Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra.

All three adjudicators were impressed by the high standard of musicality, technical skill and the engaging performances. They have chosen 6 Finalists to perform on June 30 with the full orchestra and wished to Highly Commend some of the other performers who did not quite make the Finals. All Semi-finalists are to be congratulated on their fine performances.

Junior Section

• Jiashan Wang - Piano - Felix Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No.1
• Cloris Xu - Oboe - J. W. Kalliwoda; Oboe Concertino Op.110

Senior Section

• Lara Dowdeswell - Violin - Jean Sibelius; Violin Concerto in D Minor Op.47,
• Sebastian Rowe - Euphonium - Phillip Wilby; Concerto for Euphonium
• Jamie Wallace - Cello - Elgar; Cello Concerto in E Minor
• Teresa Yang - Violin - Bela Bartok; Violin Concerto No.2 Sz.112

The following performers were Highly Commended:

• Veronica Feng – flute
• Eukai Miao – marimba
• David Lin – violin
• Ewan Odenthal – piano
• Isabelle Teo – double bass
• Sharon Zhao – violin

Thank you to all of the performers, their accompanists, teachers and parents, as well as all of the supportive audience who came to listen today. Thank you also to our Sponsors, Abbotsleigh School and members of the orchestra who volunteered their time to make today such a success. See you at the Finals in June!

Semi-finals Details

The KPO Concerto Competition Semi Finals are on Sunday 7 April in the Peter Duly Concert Hall at Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga, commencing at 11.00am and concluding at around 4.30pm. (NB daylight savings ends on that day).

The Semifinal Schedule is available here.

Family, Friends and Supporters are most welcome to attend the day at any time and entry is free, though it will be possible to make a donation to the KPO. Access to Abbotsleigh will only be from Ada Avenue via the Carpark (Gate 1A) or the Pedestrian Gate just above the carpark entrance.

From the carpark, head up the stairs halfway along the highway side of the carpark – look for the KPO CONCERTO COMPETITION signs.

Parents and audience members will be guided to the Concert Hall.

We are once again most grateful to Abbotsleigh for their support in hosting this year’s Concerto Competition Semifinals.

Dates for 2024

• Registrations open: 1 December 2023 (please note only the first 100 Entries will be accepted as per rules no 4 and 22)
• Registrations close: 10pm Monday 4 March 2024 OR when the 100 Entries limit is reached (whichever comes first, as per rules no 4 and 22)
• Submission of recordings close: 10pm Monday 11 March 2024
• Stage 1, recorded auditions adjudicated: Sunday 24 March 2024
• Stage 2, semi-finals: Sunday 7 April from 11am to 4:30pm - Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga. Live performances open to the public.
• Stage 3, finals concert: Sunday 30 June 3pm at The Concourse, Chatswood.

How to Enter the Competition

Details

Prizes

• Overall Winner: $5000 + engagement to perform with the KPO during the following year
• Barbara Cran Award: $1,000
• Barbara Robinson Award: $1,000
• The Multiples competition section is held every two years. There is no Multiple section in 2024
• Perpetual Cups: awarded to the schools of the overall winner, Barbara Robinson award winner and the Barbara Cran award winner
• KPO Award: $500 to best performer during rehearsals with the orchestra (KPO players’ choice)
• All finalists with receive $250

FAQs

Competition Rules

Download here

Donate to the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition

Donate online here

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