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RISING STARS - FINALISTS’ CONCERT
Date: Friday, 16 May 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Dunedin Town Hall
Tickets Now on Sale!
Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating Otago and Southland's emerging musical talent as three outstanding young soloists compete for top honours, accompanied by a historic collaboration between the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Youth Orchestra under the baton of maestro James Judd, Principal Guest Conductor of the DSO
THE FINALISTS
Portia Bell (Cello)
Performing: Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor
Ozan Biner-McGrath (Piano)
Performing: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (Allegro)
Roy Zhang (Piano)
Performing: Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major
The Orchestra & Programme
First Half: Dunedin Youth Orchestra
The Dunedin Youth Orchestra, conducted by David Burchell, takes centre stage in the first half with a vibrant and varied programme including Offenbach’s La belle Hélène Overture, Bizet’s L ’Arlésienne Suite No. 2, Malcolm Arnold’s Little Suite No. 2, Prokofiev’s bold Montagues and Capulets, and Coates’ lively Knightsbridge March.
The selection of works designed to challenge and inspire young musicians. This repertoire has been carefully chosen for its mix of familiar and lesser-known pieces, covering a variety of styles, moods, and tempos, ensuring every player is fully engaged while pushing their musical abilities to new heights.
David Burchell – Conductor DYO
Second Half: The Grand Finale
As in the 2021 and 2023 competitions, the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Dunedin Youth Orchestra will unite on stage in a historic collaboration, accompanying the finalists under the baton of Maestro James Judd, Principal Guest Conductor of the DSO.
James Judd – Principal Guest Conductor DSO
Meet the Adjudicators
Samuel Jacobs – Principal Horn, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Monique Lapins – Former Second Violinist, NZ String Quartet; Lecturer, NZ School of Music – Te Kōkī
Dr. Jian Liu – Deputy Head of School, Head of Piano Studies, Associate Professor, NZ School of Music – Te Kōkī