Violinist Kaito Deed has won the Symphony Central Coast Prodigies Concerto Competition with his performance of the 1st movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major. 

Year 11 Gosford High School student Kaito was one of four finalists in the biennial competition along with fellow Central Coast Conservatorium violin student Minjy Lee. Supported off-stage by fellow CCCM students and teachers, Minjy and Kaito were joined by former Con student Sophie Kelly (flute) and Matthew Ardern (piano). Both Kaito and Minjy are learning violin at CCCM with Karina Hollands. 

All four competitors performed on stage at Central Coast Grammar School’s Performing Arts Centre on Sunday 17 September accompanied by Symphony Central Coast and conducted by Steven Stanke.

Kaito, who is Concertmaster with Central Coast Youth Orchestra, took out both the Adjudicator’s Award and People’s Choice Award for his thrilling recital of the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto – one of the most popular and enduring works in the violin repertoire.

Minjy performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G Major, while Sophie chose Carl Reinecke’s Flute Concerto. Matthew played Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no 2. 

Concertos are works for solo instrument and orchestra and are an opportunity for an outstanding player to show their artistry and virtuosity accompanied by a large orchestra. These works require great dexterity and musical maturity, all of which will be in plentiful supply at this concert.

Phillip Shovk, from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, adjudicated for the first prize of $1500, sponsored by Rotary Club of Gosford North and audience members voted for the People’s Choice award of $500, also sponsored by Rotary Club of Gosford North. 

Both prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the concert and Kaito is now invited to perform with Symphony Central Coast in 2024.