Symphony Australia and ABC name the 12 Finalists in the prestigious Australia Young Performers Awards.

The best of Australia’s classical young musicians will compete for the coveted title of ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year in Hobart next month. The competition, credited for launching many international careers, has been running for over 70 years but this year’s prizes are much more lucrative than in the past.

This year’s winner will receive $25,000 and the two Concerto finalists $10,000 each. There are a series of other prizes on offer too: the People’s Choice, Best Chamber Music Performance, Best Recital, Best Performance of an Australian work and also the Triffitt Prize, a new prize bequest by Dr Gregory Byron Triffitt. All come with $6,000 prize money attached.

But this competition is about far more than the money, according to Kate Lidbetter, CEO of Symphony Australia. “We have seen many talented Australian performers catapulted onto the world stage after winning this Award. It’s really exciting to see the long term benefits both to the individual musicians and Australian culture of these Awards.”

The three competitors who reach the Grand Final will perform their nominated Concerto with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart’s...