ABC Young Performers Awards Return in 2026

As ABC Classic commemorates its 50th anniversary, Australia’s most prestigious classical music competition, the ABC Young Performers Awards (YPAs), is set to return in 2026, with entries opening on Monday, 16 February. The awards celebrate the ABC’s enduring commitment to nurturing exceptional young talent and cultivating the next generation of classical musicians and audiences across Australia.

Open to performers aged 31 and under, the competition spans three rigorous rounds, designed to identify Australia’s most gifted young instrumentalists. The culmination of the awards is a Grand Final at the Sydney Opera House, which will be both televised on ABC TV and broadcast on ABC Classic, offering nationwide recognition and exposure to the country’s finest emerging musicians.

The ABC Young Performers Awards has a rich and evolving history. Its origins date back to 1944, when the Australian Broadcasting Corporation initiated a series of state-based competitions to discover young classical talent. The first Commonwealth Final took place in 1949, bringing together six state winners to compete for national acclaim.

Over the decades, the competition has undergone multiple transformations, reflecting the changing landscape of classical music in Australia. Initially known as the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition, it produced distinguished alumni such as Max Olding (piano, 1952), Charmian Gadd (violin, 1962), Roger Woodward (piano, 1964), and Nathan Waks (cello, 1968). By 1968, it had been renamed the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition, and in 1978 adopted a format with four categories: String, Vocal, Keyboard, and Other Instrumental.

In 1986, the State finals were reorganised into four category finals, and in 1987 the competition officially became the ABC Young Performers Awards, a title it has retained since. Many winners have gone on to illustrious careers, including soloists and orchestral players such as Diana Doherty (oboe, 1985) and Li Wei (cello, 1993).

Since 2001, the vocal category has been managed by the Music & Opera Singers Trust (MOST®), which assumed full administration of the awards in 2016. Through MOST, young performers benefit from financial awards, scholarships, and performance opportunities with leading symphony orchestras and conductors, both in Australia and internationally, while ABC Classic continues as the media and broadcast partner.

Key Milestones of the ABC Young Performers Awards

The 2026 edition promises to continue this distinguished legacy, offering young Australian musicians a platform to launch their professional careers, showcase their artistry, and inspire audiences nationwide.