Performer of the Year

DAVID DEACON | Head of Strings and Music co-Director

The Performer of the Year not only showcases the astounding level of achievement attained by the College's finest young musicians, but also provides concert performance opportunities at the highest level. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, both concerts were able to go ahead with the Recital Final available via Livestream only and the Concerto Final with the orchestra performing in face masks.

Recital Final – Saturday 21 August - Finalists:

• Chloe Baird – Saxophone • Panelo Hsieh – Piano • Victor Huang – Piano • Rebecca Kim – Cello • Mark Lubke – Violin • Lana Ly – Harp • Mulan Ma – Piano • George Thomas – Cello • Brooke Wallace – Violin. All delighted, enthralled and impressed the Livestream audience. The performers, ranging from Years 7–12, exhibited poise, maturity and composure beyond their years, astounding technical prowess and rich musicality. Pianist Mulan Ma (top left) was awarded the title of 2021 Performer of the Year - Recitalist, for her accomplished and musical rendition of works by Haydn and Granados.

Concerto Final - Saturday 28 August:

The 14th Annual Performer of the Year Concerto Competition included performances by: • Alyssa Deacon - Bottesini Double Bass Concerto No. 2 (1st and 2nd mvts) • Kaden Kuo - Elgar Cello Concerto (4th mvt) • Aden Gao - Saint Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st mvt) • Grace Sun - Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 (1st mvt) • Yuro Lee - Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (3rd mvt) Each performer had been preparing for the event for many months and countless hours of practice. Their incredible talent and dedication to music is what drives the sense of community and support seen each year at the Concerto Final. Students, Old Scholars and current teaching staff all join together to form the Concerto Symphony Orchestra. Adjudicators Catherine Lynagh and Brendan Joyce were extremely impressed with all performances and congratulated St Peters on its commitment to music by providing such high-level opportunities for our young musicians. The winner of the 2021 Performer of the Year Concerto Final was Year 12 double bassist – Alyssa Deacon (above, centre row, right).