Two cellists and a violist will perform with the Queensland Youth Symphony next month as the finalists in the 2026 John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition (JCNYCC), which takes place at The Old Museum Concert Hall in Brisbane on Sunday 11 October 2026.
The finalists this year are Gabriel Tian Liu, a 15-year-old cellist from Melbourne, who will perform the Martinů Cello Concerto No. 1; Lieun Park, a 17-year-old cellist also from Melbourne, who will perform the Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor; and Juah Hyun, a 17-year-old violist from Sydney, who will perform the Bartók Viola Concerto. All three will be accompanied by the Queensland Youth Symphony.
The competition has been running for more than five decades and follows the same structure each year. After a rigorous audition process, three young soloists are chosen to perform a concerto with the Queensland Youth Symphony in front of both a live audience and a judging panel. For the musicians involved, it is an opportunity to rehearse and perform with a full symphony orchestra at a formative point in their development.
Queensland Youth Orchestras Executive Director Amanda Jolly said the competition’s history reflected the depth of young musical talent across Australia, and outlined what the event offers both the finalists and the audience:
This competition is a highlight for us every year. It is our chance to support the development of outstanding young Australian musicians, giving them the opportunity to rehearse and perform with a full symphony orchestra guided by internationally renowned conductor and QYO Artistic Director, Simon Hewett. It is a thrill to be part of their journey
To look back at the musicians who have stood on this stage over more than 50 years is remarkable. The John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition gives audiences the opportunity to discover exceptional young artists at the very beginning of what may become extraordinary careers.
The competition is named in honour of Queensland Youth Orchestras founder John Curro AM MBE, whose work in developing young musicians helped shape orchestral music education in Queensland.
The concert, presented under the title String Sensations, begins at 3pm on Sunday 11 October 2026 at The Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane. Tickets are priced from $25 to $56, and can be purchased via the QYO website.
