Arts & Culture
6 November, 2025
The Highlands’ finest young classical musicians to be honoured with awards
Some of the Highlands’ finest young classical musicians will be honoured at an awards ceremony at the Bowral Memorial Hall this Friday evening, 7 November.
Some of the Highlands’ finest young classical musicians will be honoured at an awards ceremony at the Bowral Memorial Hall this Friday evening, 7 November.
Six finalists have been nominated for the 2026 Eva Pascoe Awards, run by the Highlands Music Collective (HMC).
The Pascoe Awards were created by Eva Pascoe and her husband Dr Timothy Pascoe AM, who both have a passion for excellence in the arts both nationally and locally.
They are also dear friends of HMC’s Artistic Director, Myee Clohessy.
“Playing chamber music is a joyful experience that many talented music students do not have the chance to experience in their younger years,” Ms. Clohessy said.
“This is a unique and significant award. This year marks our fourth Pascoe Awards concert. Our last three winners of the Eva Pascoe Award have been exceptional musicians and have delighted local audiences with their brilliant performances.
“This year's finalists all have some connection to the Southern Highlands or surrounding regions. They include a current student from Oxley College, two former students from Moss Vale High, one from Frensham, and three now studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.”
The finalists and their performance pieces have been announced as follows:
James Monro (22) cello, performing Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No. 1 Movement III (Cadenza);
Sophie Chen (18) piano, performing Ravel’s Miroirs III Une barque sur l'océan';
Oscar Dunn-Luck (19) piano, performing Franz Liszt's ‘Liebestraum' No. 3;
Robert Nelson (15) piano, performing Ravel’ s Sonatine in F# minor' Movement III;
Paul Nicolaou (22) harp, performing Ibert’s 'Fantasie'; and
Samantha Roberts (21) flute, performing Büsser’s 'Prelude et Scherzo'.
Guest artist will be 2025 Pascoe Award recipient and flautist, 17 year-old Annabel Wouters, who will play two pieces - the first Gaubert's 'Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando', and Ibert's Flute Concerto, Movement 1. She will be accompanied by John Martin.
At Friday night’s concert, three judges – Ms. Clohessy, wind and brass performer Alexandra Donaldson and pianist Andrew Rumsey will choose one of these young finalists to be named as the recipient of the 2026 Eva Pascoe Award.
The young musician who wins will receive a $3000 stipend and be mentored by the Highlands Music Collective and invited to perform chamber music in their 2026 Concert Series.
The other five finalists will also each receive 2026 Timothy Pascoe Encouragement Awards (at a cost of $200 each) for their passion and dedication to classical music.
The concert will commence from 6:30pm and will finish around 7:45pm.
Tickets to tomorrow night’s awards ceremony are still available from https://events.humanitix.com/hmcollective-presents-pascoe-awards-finalists-concert.
Read More: Bowral, Southern Highlands