As ABC Classic celebrates 50 years, Australia’s most prestigious classical music competition, the ABC Young Performers Awards returns in 2026 with entries now open.
The competition showcases ABC Classic’s commitment to exceptional young artists and fostering next generation of classical music lovers and artists in Australia.
Open to performers aged 31 years of age and under, across three rounds this career-launching competition will uncover Australia’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, culminating in a Grand Final performance at the Sydney Opera House, which will be televised on ABC TV and broadcast on ABC Classic.
Head of ABC Classic & ABC Jazz, Philip Noyce, said:
“ABC Classic is delighted that the Young Performers Awards return to the ABC this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. The Awards have played a vital role in supporting the next generation of Australian classical musicians for more than 80 years, and I look forward to discovering and championing the country’s leading young musicians in 2026 as part of our milestone year.”
The story of the ABC Young Performers Awards stretches back to 1944, when the ABC first launched a series of state-based competitions to uncover young classical talent. In 1949, the six state winners competed for the Commonwealth final for the first time.
Over the years it grew into the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition, producing such names as Max Olding (piano, 1952), Charmian Gadd (violin, 1962), Roger Woodward (piano, 1964) and Nathan Waks (cello, 1968).
In 1968 the competition became the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition and by 1978 a format comprising four categories (String, Vocal, Keyboard and Other Instrumental).
In 1986 the State finals were converted to four category finals. The following year, the title of the competition again changed to become the ABC Young Performers Awards.
Many winners have become well known soloists and orchestral players such as Diana Doherty (oboe, 1985) and Li Wei (cello, 1993).
In 2001, the vocal category moved to the Music & Opera Singers Trust (MOST®). By 2016, MOST® assumed full administration of the ABC Young Performers Awards, with the ABC remaining as broadcast and media partner. Through MOST, young performers were supported with financial awards, bequests, and scholarships and performance opportunities in the concert and recital halls with the finest symphony orchestras, and conductors here and abroad.
Entries for the ABC Young Performers Awards are open now, submit via the ABC Classic Young Performers website. Full competition entry conditions and guidelines are available here.
Pictured: Flautist Eliza Shephard, the 2022 winner of the ABC Young Performers Awards.