Outstanding Youth Musicians for Spectacular Gala Final
2025 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition Final – The Concourse, Sun 29 June 3pm
Six super talented individual finalists – and a sensational young duo – will perform their selected concerto with the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
in the 2025 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition at the Concourse, Chatswood, on Sunday afternoon 29 June.
These outstanding young musicians – who have battled through heat and semi-final rounds to reach the prestigious event – are competing for invaluable performance opportunities and cash prizes up to $10,000.
The competition, open to secondary school pupils in years 7–12 at schools throughout NSW and the ACT, is in its 41st year and again attracted more than 100 entrants.
The final will be adjudicated by internationally recognised musicians, including Timothy Kantor, newly appointed Senior Lecturer of violin at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (pictured below).
Regarded as a stepping stone to national and international success, the competition has been held annually since 1984 and provides an invaluable performance opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talents as concert soloists accompanied by orchestra. The list of previous winners is a Who’s Who of famous Australian musicians including Amy Dickson, Natalie Chee, Grace Clifford & Simon Tedeschi.
20 young artists performed in the semifinals and six were highly commended. KPO Artistic Director and Conductor Paul Terracini (pictured above ) said:
“The 2025 final of the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition will feature some of the most talented young performers in the state. This event is an adornment to Sydney’s musical calendar”
The 2025 finalists are:
Junior division:
Diana Kim of Beecroft (Yr8 Wahroonga Adventist), Concertstück pour Harpe Op.39 by Pierne
Elijah Baker, Woodcroft (Yr9 Conservatorium) Concerto for Trombone in F min by Grondahl
Tong Wu, Chiswick (Yr 7 Meriden) Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso Op28, for violin by Saint Saens
Senior division:
Jessica Ma, North Sydney (Yr 12 Abbotsleigh) Violin Concerto No.1 in D Op.19 by Prokofiev
Mirabelle Chen, Chatswood (Yr 11 Barker College) Oboe Concerto in C K314 by Mozart
Amily He, Allaway (Yr 11, Conservatorium) Flute Concerto in D minor Op.69 by Molique
Multiple Concerto winners:
Connie Liu (Ermington)Symphony Shi (Carlingford) Yr 11 and Yr 9 Meriden
Concerto for Violin and Piano in D minor MWV04 by Mendelssohn
2025 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition FINAL
Sunday 29 June 3pm at The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood
Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Conducted by Paul Terracini, Artistic Director
Tickets: Standard $55 | Concession $45 | Junior/Child $20 | Family (4 tickets, max 2 adults) $125
Information and Bookings online: www.kpo.org.au, in person at Concourse Box Office or 8075 8111
