Young Instrumentalist Prize

Young Instrumentalist Prize

A performance platform for talented Queensland secondary school students.

#Young Instrumentalist Prize

The Young Instrumentalist Prize presents an opportunity for exceptional Queensland school students to audition via video for a panel of Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians and artistic staff, with cash prizes, recording, performance and mentoring opportunities available to six finalists.

Students must be enrolled in any Queensland secondary school (years 7 to 12), or home schooled, in the year of the competition (2021). Students must play an orchestral instrument (including saxophone but not including keyboard instruments) at a standard which is equivalent to AMEB Grade 8 or higher. Audition repertoire must be a movement or movements from a recognised concerto, or a work for solo instrument and orchestra, between 8-10 minutes in duration.

The Young Instrumentalist Prize is proudly supported by Brisbane Airport Corporation, CP Morris, and Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS), Brisbane

#2021 Awards

2021 Winners

Andre Oberleuter, bassoon
Brisbane School of Distance Education

Anna Suzuki, violin
Home schooled


2021 Finalists

Ein Na, violin
Somerville House

Joshua Jones, cello
Brisbane State High School

Yuliana Chen, marimba
Brisbane State High School

Emily Masciocchi, violin
Somerville House


2021 Highly Commended Applicants

Callum Heard, trumpet
St Paul's School

Sophia Jones, violin
Brisbane State High School

Leonardo Lynch, violin
Brisbane Boys College

Ella Pysden, viola
Brisbane State High School

Harry Young, double bass
Centenary Heights State High School


2021 Violin Loan Recipient

Sophia Jones, violin
Brisbane State High School

'I was extremely honoured to perform at the finals and it was such a wonderful opportunity. When I was on stage I just had adrenaline running through my body and I was so excited. It was a really great experience performing in front of an audience with family and friends.'

Théonie Satzuki Wang, 2020 YIP Winner
Support This Program

#Curriculum link

Each year, one violinist is offered a loan of an AE Smith 1961 Violin, 'Brennan Keats'. An additional string instrument loan may be offered. The AE Smith 1961 Violin, “Brennan Keats” has been kindly donated to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for use by an outstanding young violinist. The original donor Brennan Keats entrusted the instrument to the National Instrument Bank created by Music Australia, and in 2020 ownership of the instrument was transferred to the Orchestra in its own right.