Symphony Central Coast continues to recognise and support emerging talent as it presents its Concerto Competition on Sunday, September 17, at Central Coast Grammar School Performing Arts Centre.
The competition is held every two years and is open to all musicians on the Central Coast under the age of 25.
There are four performers in this year’s competition – Minjy Lee, Sophie Kelly, Matthew Ardern and Kaito Deed.
They have chosen works by Mozart, Carl Reinecke, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky and each will perform a movement or movements from a concerto up to 15 minutes in length.
Concertos are works for solo instrument and orchestra and are an opportunity for an outstanding player to show their artistry and virtuosity accompanied by a large orchestra.
These works require great dexterity and musical maturity, all of which will be in plentiful supply at this concert.
Phillip Shovk, from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, will adjudicate for the first prize of $1,500, sponsored by Rotary Club of North Gosford and audience members are encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice award of $500, also sponsored by the Rotary club.
Both prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the concert and the winners will be invited to perform with Symphony Central Coast in 2024.
Minjy Lee will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G major.
The 15-year-old Gosford High student started her musical journey aged the age of six.
She is currently working towards her AMusA diploma under the supervision of Karina Hollands.
Minjy has participated in concerts are the Principal Second Violin of Regional Youth Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.
She was an Allen Family Scholarship finalist in 2022, a Junior Instrumental finalist in 2020, the Pearl Beach (Senior) People’s Choice winner in 2022 and, in 2023, a Pearl Beach (Senior) finalist.
Sophie Kelly will perform Carl Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major.
Sophie is in her second year of a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, under the tutelage of James Kortum.
Through her degree, Sophie has performed as a member of the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Wind Ensemble, on both flute and piccolo.
Previously she has held the position of principal flute with the Central Coast Youth Orchestra and Regional Orchestra NSW, where she had the opportunity to work alongside musicians from Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra and Staatskapelle Berlin Orchestra.
Matthew Ardern will perform Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
Matthew, from Terrigal, is currently studying a Master of Music under the tutelage of Ludmila Beliaviskia at Excelsia College.
His musical journey began with piano lessons at the age of six and, over the next decade, his piano skills quietly flourished, although he paused AMEB exams after Grade 4.
It wasn’t until he resumed piano studies at Excelsia College in 2019 that he recognised the piano as the pathway to his musical future.
Kaito Deed will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major.
A 16 year old Year 11 student at Gosford High School, Kaito started learning the violin at age four and has been studying under Karina Hollands since he was eight.
He is currently the concertmaster of the Central Coast Youth Orchestra and the NSW Regional Youth Orchestra under the baton of Patrick Brennan.
Kaito was the winner of the Allen Family Scholarship in 2022, the Pearl Beach Senior Scholarship and the People’s Choice Award in 2023.
The concert on September 17 will be at 2.30pm.
Tickets can be bought at https://auccgs.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/96331
Source:
Symphony Central Coast