Brisbane school boy wins QSO top award

Eddy Chen  

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: QSO

Eddy Chen of Brisbane State High School had been awarded the top prize in Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Instrumentalist Competition 2010.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) has today announced Brisbane’s Eddy Chen as the overall winner of their annual Young Instrumentalist Competition.

Eddy, currently in Grade 12 at Brisbane State High School secured the top prize over thirty talented music students from a range of Queensland schools, with a captivating performance of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.2 (first movement).

Richard Wenn, Artistic Director of QSO and chair of the judging panel said the performance standards were so high this year, a second round of auditions was held last night (Monday, March 1) at the QSO Ferry Road Studios.

Mr Wenn was joined on the panel by Patrick Pickett (C.E.O. of Queensland Symphony Orchestra) along with Sarah-Grace Williams and Lilly Camden, to judge eight of the best young competitors before a live audience.

“We had an exceptional group of talented youngsters compete in YIC this year… the competition was fierce,” said Mr Wenn.

“The judging panel were overwhelmed by the standard of the young performers. It was an extremely difficult decision to choose the winner of the competition,” he said.

Eddy has won the opportunity to perform his chosen concerto accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in their Secondary Showcase concert “It’s A Riot!”, to be held on March 17 at the QPAC Concert Hall.

He also takes home an exquisite A. E. Smith violin provided by the National Instrument Bank. Named after the donor Brennan Keats, Eddy will have use of this instrument for the next year.

“Eddy is very deserving…his performance of the Prokofiev was immaculate and showed great maturity,” Mr Wenn said.

For the first time in this competition judges awarded two runner-up places. First runner-up was awarded to Alex Miller of Toowoomba Grammar School for his performance of the Jacob Concerto for Horn and Strings (Movement 1). The second runner-up was Catherina Lee of Trinity Lutheran College, for her performance of Vieutemps Violin Concerto No.5 (Movement 1).

Sally Law of Somerville House was also awarded an Italian violin by the Cremonese maker Primavera by Lilly Camden; kindly donated for a loan period of one year by the NFA/Anthony Camden Foundation.

The QSO Young Instrumentalist Competition is particularly challenging, giving music students a true insight into the demanding audition processes, and high-level of musicianship required in obtaining professional roles with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, or in pursuing a solo career.

“The competition is of significant benefit to the student’s professional development,” said Mr Wenn.

School groups are encouraged to witness rising star, Eddy Chen in action with Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the Secondary Showcase concert “It’s a Riot!” on March 17.

For more information on the QSO Education and Community programme visit the QSO website here.