Bassoonist Milo Abrahams has taken out the top prize at the 38th annual NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition, hosted by the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. The year 11 student at Sydney Grammar School – who was a junior finalist in the 2018 competition – was awarded a $5000 cash prize and an engagement with the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic.

For the final, which was held in the Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood last month, he played Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto.

Milo Abrahams performing Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto with the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2022 Secondary Schools Concerto Competition. Photo © New Point of View Photography

Speaking to Limelight, Abrahams says, “Winning this competition was definitely a dream come true, and the cherry on top of the experience of playing with an orchestra. It was particularly meaningful as my first bassoon teacher, Clare Payne, passed away this year and I know she would have been thrilled with the result. I played the Mozart on her bassoon, so on the night I felt like it was her sound that helped me do well.”

“Playing a concerto with such a professional orchestra is an incredible experience, especially...