About the National Youth Concerto Competition

This year Queensland Youth Orchestras will celebrate the 33rd National Youth Concerto Competition. The competition was established by John Curro AM MBE to provide young string players aged up to 17 years with an opportunity to extend themselves beyond the normal AMEB and eisteddfod experiences.

The competition has launched the careers of some Australia's most successful string players including the Australian Chamber Orchestra's Richard Tognetti, the Freshwater Trio's Zoe Black and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra's Nicholas Milton.

Excitement and brilliance have been the hallmarks of the NYCC since its inception in 1976 and each year promises to be no different. Judges will be selecting outstanding finalists and recitalists to perform public recitals throughout Finals Week. Finals Week is a fantastic opportunity for you to check out the talent for minimal or no cost before the Finals Concert with the Queensland Youth Symphony.

The winner will gain a $2500 prize and will join the ranks of some of Australia's greatest musicians.

2008 National Youth Concerto Competition Finals Concert

Sunday 26th October 2008

3pm, Old Museum Concert Hall

The winner of the 33rd National Youth Concerto Competition was decided at the Finals Concert held on Sunday 26 October: 17 year-old Emily Sun from Sydney, after her virtuosic performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

NYCC founder and conductor Curro said, “The standard of our young string talent seems to rise year after year so that the choice of a winner in a competition such as this is becomes more and more difficult. In a way, it seems a pity that there have to be losers. All three of this year's finalists acquitted themselves admirably, with Moloksher and Sun showing astonishing virtuosity, whilst Christopher Mui's performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto showed a maturity beyond his 15 years.”

“This event continues to be a very significant and important one in our young string players' calendar and gives them the experience and support that they need on their way to the major international competitions,” Curro continued.

Presented by Queensland Youth Orchestras , the NYCC is the most significant competition in Australia for aspiring young string players and has earned an impressive reputation. Now in its 33 rd year, the competition not only showcases the outstanding talent of young musicians, but also the high standard of string teaching in Australia.

Emily's win adds to the young violinist's already impressive resume. In 2007, Emily won second prize in the Balmain Sinfonia Concerto Competition, as well as being awarded the Perry Hart Memorial Prize.