Symphony Australia

Young Performer of The Year Announced

Shaun Lee-Chen is the 2007 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year.

Shaun Lee-Chen won the 2007 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, playing to a capacity crowd at the Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday 17 October 2007.

He received a $20,000 cash prize, a professionally-produced CD of his winning performance, the Sir Charles Moses Trophy and concert engagements with major Australian symphony orchestras. He gave a recital at the Sydney Opera House also.

Shaun played Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No.1.

The crowd went wild when Shaun was announced as the winner and he was extremely generous in his praise for his competitors.

Benjamin Kopp played Brahms' Piano Concerto No.2 in the final

Tristram Williams played Bernd Zimmermann's trumpet concerto, Nobody knows de trouble I see.

The evening was hosted by Margaret Throsby, and broadcast live on ABC Classic FM.

James Judd conducted the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

The adjudicators for the grand final were: Michele Walsh (Head of Strings at Queensland Conservatorium and a former finalist in the competition - 1974); Caroline Almonte (Concert pianist and a former finalist in the competition - 1992); and Rob Johnson (Principal Horn with the Sydney Symphony), James Judd (Conductor) and Marshall McGuire (Executive Manager, Artistic Planning, West Australian Symphony Orchestra).

Shaun, Benjamin and Tristram first auditioned in December 2006, when Stage I auditions took place in each capital city. Stage II auditions were held in March 2007, when the category finalists were selected.

The Strings Category Final was held in Hobart with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Ola Rudner on 14 June; Keyboards Category Final was held in Adelaide with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite on 22 June; and Other Instruments Category Final was held in Brisbane with The Queensland Orchestra and conducted by Vladimir Verbitsky on 25 July.

Shaun received a $20,000 cash prize,a professionally-produced CD of hiswinning performance, the Sir Charles Moses Trophy and concertengagements with major Australian symphony orchestras.Shaun Lee-Chen won the 2007 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, playing to a capacity crowd at the Perth Concert HallonWednesday 17 October 2007.

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