Music lovers are warmly invited to experience an evening of exceptional young talent as this Friday’s festival session—adjudicated by respected musician Libby Crabtree—showcases an inspiring programme dominated by piano performance, with a joyful opening from one of Perth’s youngest ensembles.

The evening begins at 6:00pm with a delightful contribution from the 19th Perth Rainbow Guides, who will present The Frog Song in the Action Songs for Rainbow Guides (unaccompanied) class. Competing for the Quaich presented by Perth City Division of the Guides, this opening promises charm, enthusiasm, and a celebration of early musical engagement in the ever-popular Music is Fun category.

At 6:15pm, the focus turns to vocal artistry in the Lieder and English Art Song Class, where Robyn Middlemass and Clara Milne perform a contrasting programme of Die Lotusblume by Robert Schumann and Down by the Salley Gardensin an arrangement by Benjamin Britten. The class competes for the Silver Quaich presented by Lady Gomme-Duncan.

From 6:30pm, the spotlight shifts firmly to piano, beginning with the Intermediate Piano Recital Class (minimum ABRSM Grade 5). A varied and demanding programme features music by George Frideric Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Muzio Clementi, and contemporary composers including Justin Hurwitz and Joe Hisaishi. Performers from schools across the region—including Dollar Academy, Dunblane High School, St Modan’s High School, and Perth High School—will compete for the silver salver awarded in memory of Rita Pearson.

At 7:25pm, younger pianists take the stage in the Level 5 Pianoforte Solo Class, with repertoire ranging from Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Kabalevsky to Frédéric Chopin and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—a testament to the breadth of developing talent.

The evening continues at 8:05pm with the prestigious Piano Sonata Class, where Serhii Apakitsa performs the iconic “Moonlight” Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven, competing for the Robert Melling Memorial Award.

Advanced pianists follow at 8:20pm in the Open Piano Recital Class (minimum ABRSM Grade 7), featuring substantial works by Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Christian Sinding, alongside Beethoven and Halfdan Kjerulf.

The session concludes at 9:00pm with the Advanced Pianoforte Solo Class, where competitors will perform Chopin’s Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2—a fittingly expressive finale to an evening devoted largely to the piano.

With its blend of youthful enthusiasm, technical accomplishment, and musical diversity, this Friday evening session promises to be a highlight of the festival. Audiences are encouraged not only to attend but to lend their support and appreciation as these performers take to the stage.