Soloist Competition

The AYO Soloist Competition offers existing orchestra members the chance to compete for monetary prizes and a concerto appearance with the orchestra. The orchestra showcases young soloists and composers; it accompanied Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in her youth and, more recently, John Chen (piano), Amitai Pati (tenor) and Thomas Hutchinson (oboe).

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Margaret Neutze Legacy Fund, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian.  With a prize pool totalling $5,600, the Competition Winner receives $2,000 and there are prizes for Outstanding Performances, a Gem Section winner (short piece), best Under18 performer and two discretionary awards from the Music Director.

 

Past Competition Winners

2022   Winner prize not awarded
2021   Damon Herlihy-O'Brien - Kabalevsky, Cello Concerto No. 1 in G minor
2020   Kiara Kong - Bassi/Verdi, Fantaisie Brillante on Themes from Rigoletto (Clarinet)
2019    Ricky Shi - Weber, Bassoon Concerto in F Major, Op. 75
2018    Jacob Webster - Mouquet, La Flute de Pan
2017    Anna Cooper - Nielsen, Flute Concerto
2016    Noah Rudd - Anthony Ritchie, Cartoon: Fantasy for Oboe
2015    Eva Ding - Chen Yi, The Golden Flute
2014    Jacky Siu - Shostakovich, Cello Concerto No.1
2013    Jim Wu - Bruch, Violin Concerto
2012    Olivia Francis - Beethoven, Violin Concerto
2011    Albee Ai - Mozart, Bassoon Concerto in Bflat, K.191