The Final of the 2025 AYO Soloist Competition was held on Sunday, 19 October 2025.  It was an exciting event with the wonderful talent of AYO’s players being showcased once more.

Prizes Awarded:

Winner
Howard Lu: Tchaikovsky –  Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33, for cello

Outstanding Performances
Alex Martin: Weber – Clarinet Concerto No.1
Francesca Fong:  Walton – Viola Concerto

Gem
Seunghye Chang: Bruch – Violin Concerto No.1 – 1st Movement

Under 18
Maodong Li: Elgar – Cello Concerto – 1st Movement

Music Director’s Award
Dennis Liu: Weber – Clarinet Concerto No.2

Congratulations to all competitors and prize winners!

We gratefully acknowledge a generous grant received from the Perpetual Guardian Margaret Neutze Legacy Fund, which supported the cash prizes of this competition.  Margaret Neutze (formerly Leman, née Cardno) played the harp for AYO for four decades, from 1956-1996!