Dates for 2026

• Registrations open: Monday 1 December 2025.
• Registrations close: When 100 Solo Entries are reached or 10 pm Monday 16 February 2026 (whichever comes first). NB the last two years we have reached 100 solo entries well before February.
• Submission of recordings for the 100 entrants close 10 pm Monday 23 February 2026.
• Stage 1, viewing the video auditions Sunday 8 March 2026 (3 adjudicators together at a private venue).
• Stage 2, The 20 Semi-Finalists perform live to an open audience, Sunday 29 March 2026, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm at Abbotsleigh Senior School, Wahroonga (venue to be confirmed)
• Stage 3, the Finals Concert: Sunday 28 June 2026 at 3.00 pm at The Concourse, Chatswood.

2026 Semi-finalists

Congratulations to the 20 Semi-Finalists who were selected from 100 entrants by our three adjudicators.

They were Dr Paul Terracini, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Jem Harding, Pianist, accompanist and repetiteur with a number of Australian music ensembles and institutions and Justin Williams, Assistant Principal Viola with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

All of the Youtube clips were downloaded last week and collated into a single file so that they could be watched without interruption in one long day (i.e. they were not viewed online). The adjudicators were impressed by the high standard of so many musical performances. Come along and hear the 20 Semi-finalists perform live on Sunday 29 March from 11.00am at Abbotsleigh. Three new adjudicators will choose 6 Finalists to perform their concerto with the orchestra in June.

Results for Stage One 2026

• Kiara Morishita-Lee - Flute
• Miles Shuyu Feng - Viola
• Elizabeth Luiskandl - Violin
• Thomas Silpa-Annan - Cello
• Bennett So - Piano
• Ivy Yan - Cello
• Christina Bhang - Violin
• Justin Gao - Marimba
• Veronica Chuni Feng - Flute
• Lennard Suen - Piano
• Jaemin Yoo - Viola
• Jeffrey Dong - Piano
• Connie Liu - Violin
• Isaac Baker - Tuba
• Cloris Xu - Oboe
• Alicia Kim - Cello
• Veronica Pan - Clarinet
• Nerissa Du - Viola
• Leon Spikmans - Double Bass
• Sienna Kim - Violin

How to Enter the Competition

Details

Prizes

• Overall Winner: $6000 + engagement to perform with the KPO during the following year
• Barbara Cran Award: $1,500
• Barbara Robinson Award: $1,500
• Dual Crescendo Award for Potential: $800
• Perpetual Cups: awarded to the schools of the overall winner, Barbara Robinson award winner and the Barbara Cran award winner
• KPO Players' Award: $500 to the best solo performer during rehearsals with the orchestra (KPO players’ choice)
• All solo finalists will receive $250 and a certificate
• Multiple Instruments Concerto Prize: $400 each (biennial NOT in 2026)
• Emily Sun Violin Prize: a triennial loan of a 1946 A E Smith violin from Professor Emily Sun (triennial NOT in 2026)

FAQs

Competition Rules

Download here

Donate to the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition

Donate online here

Contact