History
Liwei
In 1944 an annual, state-based competition for young performers was organised by the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Over the years it grew into the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition, producing such names as Max Olding (piano, 1952), Charmian Gadd (violin, 1962), Roger Woodward (piano, 1964) and Nathan Waks (cello, 1968).
In 1968 the competition became the Instrumental and Vocal competition and by 1978 a format comprising four categories (String, Vocal, Keyboard and Other Instrumental) was born. This was followed by the addition of an 'outstanding competitor' in 1981 with winners including Ian Munro (piano, 1982) and Duncan Gifford (piano, 1989).
In 1987 the title of the competition again changed, this time to the ABC Young Performers Awards. Many winners have become well known soloists and orchestral players such as Diana Doherty (oboe, 1985) and Li Wei (cello, 1993).
In 1997 the Concerts Division of the ABC devolved to become Symphony Australia. The competition was known as the Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards until 2006.
Since 2007, the ABC has again been a partner in the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards which continue to offer wonderful opportunities to talented young Australians.
2010 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards
Congratulations to Oliver She who was announced the winner of the Keyboard Finals of the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards held in the Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday July 7.
Oliver was awarded a $5000 cash prize and is the second finalist to be granted a place in the Grand Final to be held in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at 7pm on Friday August 27 with the QSO conducted by Marko Letonja.
The next and final concert in the Stage III series is;
TSO conducted by Kenneth Young will host the Other Instruments Final on Wednesday 28 July at 7pm in the Federation Concert Hall, Tasmania.
THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS FINALISTS ARE:
Andrew Wiering, 27 years old from SA will perform the Schwantner Percussion Concerto
Guy Spielman, 22 years old from NSW will perform the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto
Melissa Doecke, 29 years old from VIC will perform the Lindberg Flute Concerto
Ashley William Smith, 25 years old from VIC will perform the Ross Edwards Clarinet Concerto.
This concert will be broadcast live on ABC Classic FM and then repeated on Wedensday 25 August.