Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final will bring six exceptional young performers to The Concourse, Chatswood on 28 June 2026.
On a winter afternoon in Chatswood, the crowds moving along Victoria Avenue will gradually give way to a different audience. Families carrying concert programs, music teachers greeting former students, and devoted classical music listeners will make their way towards The Concourse, one of Sydney’s most distinctive cultural venues.
Inside the concert hall, anticipation will build quietly. Instruments will be tuned backstage. Final conversations between performers and mentors will come to an end. Beyond the curtain, an orchestra will prepare to accompany six young musicians who have already travelled further than most performers their age.
The event is the Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final, the culmination of the 2026 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition. Now in its 42nd year, the competition has become one of Australia’s most respected pathways for emerging classical musicians, providing talented secondary school students with the rare opportunity to perform as concerto soloists accompanied by a full symphony orchestra.
For one afternoon in June, the focus will not be on established international stars. Instead, it will rest on the next generation of Australian musicians.
The Journey to the Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final
Reaching the Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final is no small achievement.
The competition attracts young performers from schools across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Each year, entries reach capacity, reflecting both the prestige of the event and the remarkable depth of young musical talent emerging across the region.
The road to the final begins months earlier through a series of competitive rounds. Students perform demanding concerto repertoire before panels of experienced adjudicators, progressing through heats and semi-finals before a select group earns a place on the concert stage.
For the finalists, preparation extends well beyond the competition itself. Years of practice sit behind every performance. Early mornings before school, long evenings with teachers, countless scales and technical exercises all contribute to a few carefully judged minutes in front of an audience.
By the time the final arrives, the event becomes less about competition and more about the culmination of dedication and discipline.
Young Soloists Step Into the Spotlight
This year's finalists represent a diverse range of instruments and musical traditions within the classical repertoire.
In the junior division, violinist Christina Bhang will perform Korngold's Violin Concerto, while flautist Kiara Morishita-Lee will present Mozart's Flute Concerto.
The senior division will feature pianist Jeffrey Dong performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2, violinist Connie Liu interpreting Sibelius' Violin Concerto, double bassist Leon Spikmans tackling Bottesini's Double Bass Concerto No. 2, and violist Jaemin Yoo performing Bartók's Viola Concerto.
Each work brings its own demands and character.
Some pieces require dazzling technical precision, while others rely on expressive phrasing and emotional depth. Together they will create an afternoon that moves through different musical eras, styles and moods, offering audiences a glimpse into the breadth of classical music's repertoire.
The performers themselves may be teenagers, but the works they will interpret have challenged professional musicians for generations.
Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final and the Orchestra Experience
One of the defining aspects of the Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final is the opportunity to perform with an orchestra.
For many young musicians, solo practice takes place in relative isolation. Hours are spent refining passages alone or in lessons with teachers. Performing alongside a full orchestra introduces an entirely different dimension.
The finalists will be accompanied by the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Paul Terracini. The experience requires a sophisticated level of listening and collaboration. Soloists must balance personal interpretation with the collective sound of dozens of musicians around them.
It is often this orchestral partnership that transforms the competition into something memorable. The concerto format allows young performers to move beyond examination rooms and recital spaces, stepping into a professional concert environment where communication, confidence and musical maturity become just as important as technique.
For audiences, it offers the chance to witness emerging artists navigating one of classical music's most rewarding challenges.
A Legacy of Australian Musical Talent
The significance of the competition can be measured not only by its longevity but also by its alumni.
Across four decades, the event has helped launch the careers of musicians who have gone on to perform nationally and internationally. Former winners include saxophonist Amy Dickson, pianist Simon Tedeschi, violinist Anna da Silva Chen and numerous others who have established distinguished careers in the classical music world.
Yet the competition's value extends beyond identifying future stars.
For many participants, the experience provides an early introduction to the realities of professional performance. Learning how to prepare for auditions, collaborate with conductors and perform under pressure are skills that remain valuable regardless of where their musical journeys eventually lead.
The final therefore becomes both a destination and a beginning.
Event Details
Event: Magnificent Young Musicians for Spectacular State Final – 2026 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition Final
Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: 3:00pm
Venue: The Concourse Concert Hall, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW
Performers: Six finalists accompanied by the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Paul Terracini, Artistic Director
Tickets: Standard $60 | Concession $45 | Junior/Child $30 | Family $150
Bookings and Information: www.kpo.org.au | Concourse Box Office | (02) 8075 8111