Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize 2027: Apply by 23 November
Applications open on 23 October 2026
Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Young Instrumentalist Prize for 2027 opens its first application stage on Friday, 23 October 2026 at 10 a.m. Queensland time. Applications close on Monday, 23 November. Audition invitations are scheduled for 24 November, followed by a second-stage submission deadline on 22 January 2027. Finalists are to be announced on 19 February, and the finalists recital is listed for 24 April 2027 at the QSO Studio.
Eligibility is restricted to Queensland school students
Applicants must be enrolled in Years 7–12 at a Queensland secondary school or be home-schooled in Queensland. They need a playing standard equivalent to at least AMEB Grade 8. Most orchestral instruments are eligible, including saxophone, but keyboard instruments are excluded. This is not an unrestricted international competition, and students studying outside Queensland should not assume they qualify.
Repertoire and auditions
The orchestra requires strictly eight to twelve minutes of performed music, drawn from a recognised concerto or a work for solo instrument and orchestra. Entrants should pay close attention to the length requirement and consult the specific application guidelines linked on the official page. A strong audition also needs a programme that reflects the candidate's instrumental strengths, rather than simply choosing the longest or most virtuosic work.
Prizes and established record
The first-prize recipient earns an opportunity to perform with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, with the programme also offering cash prizes and concert-ticket benefits. There is an associated Brennan Keats OAM Violin Loan Prize: an AE Smith 1961 violin loan for one year. The orchestra has run the Young Instrumentalist Prize for more than 25 years; the 2026 first-prize winner listed on its site is violinist Kexin Li.
Application guidance
Use the application guidelines and application portal on QSO's own site. Families should verify consent requirements, second-round arrangements and any accompanist needs before filing the first-stage form. The programme's geographical and education restrictions are essential and should be checked before spending time on recordings.
Official organiser information
Information reviewed on 23 October 2026. Please check the organiser's current rules and deadlines before paying, travelling or submitting personal information.