UNSW student announced as winner of the 2023 Concerto Auditions

Nicholas D’Silva, who is studying a Master of IT, won for his performance of Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2.

The UNSW Music Performance Unit holds Concerto auditions annually, offering one to two performers an opportunity to be showcased in concert with UNSW Orchestra. The winners are selected based on artistic and performance proficiency, repertoire choice and the orchestration of their chosen concerto. In 2023 the auditions were open to UNSW students only.

This year’s winner Nicholas D’Silva is Master of Information Technology student at UNSW, and a freelance musician. He completed his Bachelor of Music in clarinet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He also studied at Domaine Forget de Charlevoix in Canada on a scholarship, with renowned clarinettists Olli Leppäniemi and Yehuda Gilad.

“I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity to present Weber's Second Clarinet Concerto in collaboration with Dr Steven Hillinger and the UNSW Orchestra. I selected this piece for its operatic simplicity, and the refreshing positivity that it eminates. I hope that our performance invites others to appreciate this lesser-known work for the same reasons,” said Mr D’Silva.

The adjudication panel was Dr. Steven Hillinger (conductor of UNSW Orchestra) and Emeritus artist of Australia Ensemble UNSW Geoffrey Collins (flautist). They said, “We are highly impressed by the level of musicianship and virtuosity displayed by this year’s applicants. The standard for auditions this year was exceptional and highly competitive.”

Mr D’Silva will perform Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 with UNSW Orchestra on 10 November, 2023 in Sir John Clancy Auditorium.