The inaugural 2024 Central Coast Instrufest has been hailed a resounding success, with more than 100 competitors – aged five to 50 – taking to the stage in Robert Knox Hall, Gosford.
The five-day instrumental and vocal competition ran over the October school holidays (8 – 12 October) and was organised by Central Coast Conservatorium of Music and supported by Central Coast Council. It saw musicians of all ages compete for first, second and third place across seven categories – vocal, piano, brass, woodwind, strings, guitar and open adult.
The Senior, Intermediate and Junior age winners of each category, and selected stand out performers, then went on to compete in the Grand Final Showcase Concert with more than $2000 in prizes awarded.
PHOTO GALLERY: Instrufest Grand Final Showcase Concert photos
Central Coast Grammar School student Charlie Schoeman took home the Senior first prize for his flawless and energetic acoustic guitar performance of Jongo by Paolo Bellinati. Runner-up in the Senior category was fellow Central Coast Grammar School student, and Central Coast Conservatorium flute student, Elana Sydenham who performed Theodor Verhy’s Flute Concerto No 1 (first movement).
Pianist Hechter Caleb Saturno was named the Intermediate winner, displaying impressive dexterity as he performed the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Guitarist Jensen Hornsby amped up the show with his rendition of Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson on electric guitar, taking home Intermediate second place.
In the Junior section, singer Ruby Williams impressed adjudicator John Kellaway with her performance of Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid earning her first prize. Runner-up was cellist Sebastian Lee, who played Hugo Schlemuller’s Forward March.
“Congratulations to all participants, for getting out there and giving it a go and sharing their love of music with their families, friends and everyone who came to watch,” said Central Coast Conservatorium CEO, Lisa Barnes.
“Thank you also to Central Coast Council for supporting this event, which saw the community come together in our wonderful Robert Knox Hall and celebrate music and quality music education – which is what we are all about!”
Central Coast Instrufest 2024 Winners and Runners-up
GRAND FINAL SHOWCASE PRIZES
- Junior 1st Place – Ruby Williams (voice)
- Junior 2nd Place – Sebastian Lee (cello)
- Intermediate 1st Place – Hechter Caleb Saturno (piano)
- Intermediate 2nd Place – Jensen Hornsby (electric guitar)
- Senior 1st Place – Charlie Schoeman (guitar)
- Senior 2nd Place – Elana Sydenham (flute
SECTION PRIZES
PIANO
Piano – Junior
- Ashley Zhou – 1st Place
- Amilia Yong – 2nd Place
- Isabella Chehade – 3rd Place
- Livinia Couper – Highly Commended
- Lazlo Couper – Highly Commended
Piano – Intermediate
- Hechter Caleb Saturno – 1st Place
- Gabriella Sands – 2nd Place
- Gloriana Wang – 3rd Place
- Dominic Chehade – Highly Commended
- Christopher Chehade – Highly Commended
Piano – Senior
- Grace Atkins – 1st Place
- Samuel Hopkins – 2nd Place
- Mathias Way – Joint 3rd Place
- Zachary Lim – Joint 3rd Place
- Amelia Khrustaleva – Highly Commended
VOCAL
Vocal – Junior
- Ruby Williams – 1st Place
- Amelia Rutherford – 2nd Place
- Evelyn McKim – 3rd Place
Vocal – Intermediate
- Tullia Steward – 1st Place
- Holly Martinson – 2nd Place
- Zoe Hepburn – 3rd Place
Vocal – Senior
- Riley Castle – 1st Place
- Amaya Farri – Joint 2nd Place
- Jasmine Martinson – Joint 2nd Place
- Ayva McKim – 3rd Place
WOODWIND & BRASS
Woodwind & Brass – Junior
- Yaalini Selvarajan (flute) – 1st Place
- Jude Ayyoub (flute) – 2nd Place
- Amin Chehade (saxophone) – 3rd Place
Woodwind – Intermediate
- Ishi Sridharan (clarinet) – 1st Place
- Cecile Lesmana (flute) – 2nd Place
- Christopher Chehade (clarinet) – 3rd Place
Brass – Intermediate
- Dominic Chehade (trumpet) – 1st Place
- Vishoka Selvarajan (trumpet) – 2nd Place
- Jamin Wu – (trumpet) 3rd place
- Lincoln Rutherford (euphonium) – Highly Commended
Woodwind & Brass – Senior (13-15 Years)
- Sophie Arendse (flute) – 1st Place
- Monika Sydenham (saxophone) – 2nd Place
- Kairavan Selvarajan (trumpet) – 3rd Place
Woodwind & Brass – Senior (16-18 Years)
- Elana Sydenham (flute) – 1st Place
- Mitchell Frith (French horn) – 2nd Place
- Emma Deed (flute) – 3rd Place
STRINGS
Strings – Intermediate
- Tatiana Wang (violin) – 1st Place
- Sebastian Lee (cello) – 2nd Place
- Vishoka Selvarajan (violin) – 3rd Place
Strings – Senior
- Amelia Khrustaleva – 1st Place
- Lachlan Frith (cello) – 2nd Place
- Alexandra McBride (violin) – 3rd Place
GUITAR (UNDER-18S)
- Charlie Schoeman (classical guitar) – 1st Place
- Kairavan Selvarajan (classical guitar) – 2nd Place
- Nylah Morrison – Joint 3rd Place
- Jensen Hornsby – Joint 3rd Place
OPEN ADULT
- Christ Terzoudis (electro guitar) – 1st Place
- Janaki Selvarajan (piano) – 2nd Place
- Ruixin Li (flute) – 3rd Place
