6 individual finalists in the 2026 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition and will perform their selected concerto with orchestra on Sunday 28 June, competing for prizes and opportunities in this prestigious annual event.
2026 is the 42nd year the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO) has run the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition.

The competition is open to secondary school pupils in years 7-12 at schools throughout NSW and the ACT, attracting close to 100 entrants, eager to compete for a coveted position in the Finals Concert and for the increased prize money of $12,000 and performance opportunities.

A panel of professional musician judges will adjudicate performances by finalists performing concerti with Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Artistic Director, Paul Terracini.

Regarded as a stepping stone to national and international success, the competition has been held annually since 1984 and provides an invaluable performance opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talents as concerti soloists accompanied by orchestra. The list of previous winners reflects the names of many well-known personalities in the music world, such as Amy Dickson, Natalie Chee, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Simon Tedeschi, Hyung Suk Bae and Anna da Silva Chen.

Hear these talented young musicians give dynamic concerto performances and assert a vibrant future ahead for live classical music performance.