2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards

Grand Final, conducted by Edvard TchivzhelSaturday 3 September 2pm at Queensland Performing Arts Centre

2011 Grand Finalists: Nicholas Russoniello, Emily Sun, Nicholas Young

MEDIA KITMEDIA: For interviews & images please contact Vim & Zest Communications, 02 8904 0822, 02 6685 6762, Trudy Johnston, 0402 485 902, trudy@vimandzest.com.au.

For immediate release1 August 2011

MEDIA RELEASEThe Grand Final of the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards sees three finalists battling it out with astonishing musical skill and fierce competition for the title of 2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year, Brisbane 3 September.

After winning their respective Stage III category finals, pianist Nicholas Young (20 yrs), saxophonist Nicholas Russoniello (26 yrs) and violinist Emily Sun (20 yrs) are preparing to perform their concertos with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Edvard Tchivzhel, in the prestigious Grand Final of the 2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards in Brisbane on Saturday 3 September.

The winner will be announced ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year, receiving a $20,000 cash prize, multiple recordings of their winning performance and valuable opportunities for future concert engagements with major Australian symphony orchestras.

“This Grand Final will be a close one. The three category winners stood out and the skillful manner in which they all performed their concertos have been a delight to witness and made them all worthy winners,” says Kate Lidbetter, CEO of Symphony Services International.

“These Awards are Australia’s preeminent classical musical awards and have provided a vital career springboard for many musicians who are now household names.”

Since 1944, the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards has provided aspiring young musicians the opportunity to perform with Australia’s major orchestras in the quest to be named ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year. The competition has unearthed an extraordinary number of talents and been an important catalyst to the career of many successful musicians including Simon Tedeschi, Diana Doherty, Adele Anthony, Roger Woodward, Ian Munro and more.

Nicholas Young from Carlingford NSW began his piano studies at the age of six and is currently a third-year student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he is studying towards a Bachelor of Music (performance). Nicholas has been awarded his AMusA, LMusA and FMusA.

Nicholas’s extraordinary skill as a pianist has earned him several scholarships, including the Outstanding Achievement Scholarship and Academic Merit Prize of the University of Sydney. He has been a finalist in several highly regarded music competitions and was the winner of the Yamaha Australian Youth Piano Competition in 2007. Nicholas also has significant experience as a performer and has given solo recitals with symphony orchestras in both Australia and New Zealand.

Nicholas Russoniello from Wollongong NSW commenced his studies in saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) with first class honours.

As a student, Nicholas’ distinguishing talent earned him numerous awards and scholarships which enabled him to pursue international study in the UK and France. Nicholas is a celebrated performer and regularly plays with the ensemble Duo Histoire in concerts around Australia. His merits also include performing as a soloist with the Orchestra Dell’Accademia Musicale di Schio, Vicenza and the Syrinx Quartet, for the Società Dei Concerti Milan. In 2011 Nicholas became a member of the saxophone quartet Continuum Sax.

Emily Sun from Sydney’s Concord West began playing the violin at the age of five under the tutelage of her late father, Australian composer Daniel Yi Sun. She is currently a second-year Bachelor of Music Performance (Hons) student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a full merit scholarship, studying with Robin Wilson. Emily’s unique musical talent was recognized early and she was awarded a full music scholarship at both the MLC School and the Sydney Conservatorium Open Academy. She attained her AMusA in piano at the age of 13 and LMusA in violin at 14.

As a performer, Emily made her debut at the age of ten with the East-West Philharmonic Orchestra. She has since been a guest soloist with several international and Australian symphony orchestras. Emily’s skill as a violinist has earned her several awards and allowed her to travel widely to perform with the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra. She is currently featured in the documentary Mrs Carey’s Concert with her performance of the Bach Violin Concerto at the Sydney Opera House.

Nicholas Young, 20 yrs (piano) Bartok Piano Concerto No.2Nicholas Russoniello, 26 yrs (saxophone) Yoshimatsu Concerto for saxophone and orchestra

Cyber-birdEmily Sun, 20 yrs, NSW (violin) Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

The Grand Final will be presented by ABC Classic FM Presenter Simon Healy and broadcast live on ABC Classic FM, following replays of the Stage III Category Finals in the week prior. The concert will also be recorded for television and broadcast on the ABC TV1 at 4pm on Sunday 16 October.

2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards Grand Final Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Edvard TchivzhelSaturday 3 September 2011, 2pm

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey and Melbourne Street, South BankTickets: free but bookings essential, www.qpac.com.au, 136 246

MEDIA: For interviews & images please contact Vim & Zest Communications, 02 8904 0822, 02 6685 6762, Trudy Johnston, 0402 485 902, trudy@vimandzest.com.au.

About Symphony Services International (formerly Symphony Australia)

Symphony Services International orchestrates musical excellence world-wide.

We assist orchestras and classical musicians to perform at their best. All members of the global orchestral community can benefit from our products and services.

Formerly Symphony Services Australia, we present the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards and have set international benchmarks with our Conductor Development program. We also hold the southern hemisphere’s largest classical print music library, offer over 3,500 program notes and take the headache out of tour management for visiting international artists.

Our cost-effective services are of the highest quality. These include:

Goodear Acoustic Shield Goodear Editions SSI Music Library Program Notes Surtitles Artist Development and the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards International tour co-ordination for conductors and musicians performing in Australia Consultancy Brokering Service

These specialised services are available to any organisation or individual, and are offered at a significant discount to our Associates and Subscribers.

With a passionate, expert and dedicated staff, Symphony Services International has the know-how and experience to service your needs efficiently and with a personal touch.

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