THE HILLS YOUNG MUSICIANS CONTEST 2024

Presented by the Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra

Supported by the Hills Shire Council and associated with the Hills Orange Blossom Festival, the Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra proudly hosts The Hills Young Musicians Contest 2024.

The Hills Young Musicians Contest 2024 is designed to foster the development of young local musicians by exposing a healthy competitive environment allowing learning the general etiquette in music competitions and receiving constructive comments from professional musicians judges. It will encourage young musicians’ initiative to learn, practice, and participate in music activities and enhance capabilities in school bands or youth orchestras performances.

A final concert will be held, gifted young musicians will contest for three prizes in two groups each. In spite of the main aim of this contest is to invoke young musicians’ passion for music, broaden their performing experience, heighten performance during their examinations, and contribute their talents to the Hills community.

The contest is divided into two groups: 

• A: The Sydney Hills Junior Orchestra (12 years of age and under)
• B: The Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra (13 – 18 years of age)

The Contest is in three stages:

• Stage 1:
  Submit a video recording of your performance (A solo piece for any of the following orchestral instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion instruments, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass, with or without piano accompaniment.)
  With information of 
   – Title of the piece
   – Composer’s full name
   – Duration of the piece
  
  Duration:
  
• A: Any length of time within 5 minutes ca.
• B: Any length of time within 10 minutes ca.
  
• Stage 2:
  Finals of each group will perform a piece in the Finals Concert*** at the TLC Theatre Baulkham Hills High School on (Date to be confirmed). Pieces were written for solo instruments with or without piano accompaniment. Contestants will need to bring their own accompanists if wish to perform with the accompaniment.
  All participants in the Finales Concert will receive comment sheets from the judicators.
  Three winners of each group, 1st prize, 2nd prize, and 3rd prize, will be announced at the end of the concert and receive a trophy** and The Hills Young Musicians Contest 2024 certificates.
  
• Stage 3
  The First Prize winner will perform a concerto with the Hills Youth Orchestra.

Requirements:

• Contestants must be currently living in the Hills District* OR a member of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra – YOUTH SYMPHONY – (Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra, Sydney Hills Junior Orchestra)

To Participate :

• Complete an online application with your video recording and pay a non-refundable entrance fee of $50 by 1 July 2024.

Judicators: 

• Beata Stanowska (Concertmaster of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra)
• Samantha Mailer (Flautist) (Principal flute of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra)
• Karen Cordez (Cellist) (Principal cello of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra)

Contact us for more information: management@sys.org.au

*** To be admitted to the TLC Theatre for the Finals Concert:
All audience, guests, and parents must pre-purchase tickets.
All contestants and accompanists have to request Passes. (Please designate the name when requesting the Pass).

*Suburbs of the Hills District: