Marshall McGuire named as ABC Young Performers Awards panel Chair

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Renowned harpist and AYO alumnus Marshall McGuire has been announced as Chair of ABC Young Performers Award adjudication panel.

“It’s so great that the ABC Young Performers Awards is returning in 2026, and a particular honour to be asked to chair the adjudication panel,” said Marshall.

 “The awards have for so long been an important part of Australia’s musical landscape, launching careers and introducing outstanding young performers to audiences here and internationally. With the support of the ABC, this platform offers a unique opportunity for musicians to reach new and eager audiences, and I look forward to seeing the richness of talent, skill and imagination that will undoubtedly form part of this year’s competition.”

“As a winner of a state final back in the 1980s, I know how important this competition can be in terms of personal and professional development, and encourage everyone to consider applying and taking part.”

Marshall McGuire

One of Australia’s most respected musicians and arts leaders, Marshall spent nearly a decade as Director of Programming at the Melbourne Recital Centre and is currently Chair of the Australian Music Centre and Artistic Advisor for Music and Opera at the Adelaide Festival.

Marshall’s AYO journey began in 1988 when AYO performed at the opening of Parliament House in Canberra and then went on the AYO bicentennial tour of Europe with Christoph Eschenbach and Charles Mackerras.

“I was absolutely delighted when I got into the Australian Youth Orchestra; it was a pretty good year to have my first AYO experience! Everybody who went on that tour recognises that it was a life-changing event. So many friendships that were made on that tour have now lasted many years, and a whole number of them are still my close friends and musical colleagues.”

Marshall was also on AYO’s Artistic Advisory Committee for many years and has been involved with AYO’s National Music Camp as a tutor (2004), Creative Director (2006 and 2008) and Artist-in-Residence (2018).

He has performed around the world and commissioned more than 100 new works for harp, significantly expanding the instrument’s repertoire and championing Australian composers.

Celebrating 50 years of ABC Classic, Australia’s most prestigious classical music competition the ABC Young Performers Awards return in 2026.

Across three high-stakes rounds, this career-launching competition will uncover Australia’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, culminating in a spectacular Grand Final performance at the Sydney Opera House in November, which will be televised on ABC TV and broadcast on ABC Classic.

Entries opened on 16 February 2026 and close on 1 May 2026.

Previous finalists include Claire Edwardes OAM, Andrea Lam, Sophie Rowell, Emily Sun, Shefali Pryor, Richard Pollett, Lloyd Van’t Hoff, Oliver Shermacher and Eliza Shephard.