The Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO) has announced the six young grand finalists performing in the 2023 NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition. On 25 June, the selected musicians from secondary schools across NSW and the ACT will perform a concerto with the orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director Paul Terracini and compete for a share of a prize pool that includes $10,000 and professional opportunities. 

Teresa Yang, Titan Sclavenitis, Sharon Zhao and Hayley Lau are among the six finalists for 2023. Photos supplied

This year marks the competition’s 39th year, which has been held annually since 1984. Its 2023 panel of judges includes violinist (and previous competitor) Emily Sun and horn player Robert Johnson, former Principal Horn with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra until 2017.

The Duo section winners are double bassist Isabelle Teo and violinist Nicole Wang, who performed Bottisini’s Gran Duo.

The finalists who will perform alongside the KPO are:

Junior Finalists
Clara Moloney (Fort Street High School) – Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Sharon Zhao (Meriden Girls School)...