Testimonials

What people say about the competition

"I would like to first of all thank you all for being such dedicated musicians. It is great to see such a strong musical community supporting the youngsters of the musical world through the concerto competition. Over my three years as part of the competition I have seen it grow bigger and the standard get better each time. It is reputable on all of your behalves for the time and effort you put in to make the final concert such a success.

"It has been an honour to receive the KPO Players award for the last 2 years. Receiving this award has, to me, much more significance than receiving the overall prize, and I humbly thank you all for it.

"Performing with an orchestra is an experience that doesn’t present itself to many, and so when I say that performing with all of you will be something that I will never forget, I mean every bit of it."

             Jonathon Ramsay, 2011, now Principal Trombone of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

"I wanted to sincerely thank you for your generous support of young musicians like me, being gifted with the opportunity to perform with such an inspiring orchestra.” “It means so much to be surrounded by musicians who are passionate, dedicated and welcoming. Getting to perform in the amazing Concourse Concert Hall was something very special and I feel lucky to be part of it. Most of all I have realised the power of collaboration - how each person brings something unique and together we create music that is truly great and beautiful."

             Finalist, 2025

"The KPO Competition means so much to me. Ever since I was little I dreamed of playing a concerto with an orchestra. I’ve auditioned three years in a row, and this year, I finally made it to the Semis and Finals!! …….I just wanted to say how grateful I am - not just for the recognition but also for the encouragement at a time I really needed it. We live in a world where “winning” often means placing first, so it’s easy to feel discouraged. But this award made me think about how much I’ve grown, what I still need to work on and what music means to me."

             Finalist, 2025

"It was a wonderful concert and lovely seeing you and other colleagues playing in the orchestra as well. What a great opportunity for all the performers, especially the Euphonium player from Tamworth! He was fantastic.

"We are very proud of Teresa and her maturity and humility, both as a performer and a student. She is certainly ready to enter the world of becoming a professional musician.

"Thank you to you and the committee of KPO. I know this type of organisation exists with volunteer-type leaders and committee members who are also juggling other professional commitments. We hope to support the competition well into the future.”

             Ms Jodie Spooner-Ryan, Director of Music (P-12), Meriden, whose student, Teresa Yang, violin, won the 2024 Finals Overall Winner Prize, Players Award and Emily Sun Violin Prize and is now studying on a full Fellowship at The Juilliard School in New York.

"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity you as an organisation have given me. It’s truly amazing to have been able to play this standard of repertoire backed by a proper orchestra."

             Andrew London, French Horn finalist 2015 & co-winner, Barbara Robinson Award

“What a pleasure it was to adjudicate yesterday and what and what a wonderful future is before us with music in the hands of these young soloists….

"The Orchestra is playing really beautifully - especially in the classical works which are usually so very tricky.”

             Dr Deborah de Graaff, Adjudicator 2025 Competition, clarinettist and educator, USyd, UNSW & Sydney Conservatorium of Music

"I was delighted to be asked to be an adjudicator for this year's Concerto Competition. The standard of all Finalists was very high and the level of preparation showed the respect they hold for this Competition. I was also very impressed with the musical and personal support the Orchestra provided these young people. It is a great thing to be providing so many young musicians with an opportunity to play as soloist with orchestra in such a supportive environment. This is an invaluable experience and one which is all too rare. NSW can be very proud of this community who are investing so tangibly in the youth of today and musicians of the future.”

             Michele Walsh, Head of Strings, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University & Adjudicator 2015 Competition

“Firstly, as a teacher and parent of KPO CC entrants I would like to say a huge thank you to you, the committee and the KPO for providing the wonderful opportunity of the annual Concerto Competition. I believe this event has greatly contributed to the rapidly increasing standard of playing amongst Sydney’s young students over the years!

"Some of my students have been lucky enough to participate in the KPO Finals, and without doubt, the opportunity to play with the orchestra has been absolutely invaluable for their development as musicians and instrumentalists. Paul Terracini and the KPO players have been wonderfully encouraging, and the experience has become a cherished milestone in their musical journeys.

             Janet Davies, Lecturer in Violin - Sydney Conservatorium