Music Competition
1 June – 5 June 2026
Hamilton Performing Arts Centre
Music Categories:
- Piano
- Electone
- Vocal
- Strings
- Recorder
- Woodwind
- Brass
- Contemporary Guitar
- Instrumental Ensembles
- Original Composition
- Orchestra
- Band
- Choral
2026 Music Adjudicator:
Dr Kenji Fujimura
His work as a recording artist has garnered significant international acclaim, and his compositions have been recognised with numerous awards.
Since retiring from his post as Deputy Head of School and Associate Professor at Monash University, and full-time academia, in 2018, Kenji now channels his expertise into several key leadership roles. He is a founding member of the acclaimed Trio Anima Mundi, Executive Director of the International Academy of Musical Arts (IAMUSICA), Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival and Competition, and Patron of the Association of Eisteddfod Societies of Australia. He continues to contribute to pedagogy as an Associate Lecturer at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and through his boutique private studio.
A native of Japan and a long-time resident of Australia, Kenji’s formative musical education took place in both countries. He pursued postgraduate studies in both Melbourne and London as a scholarship student, attaining accolades as a pianist, fortepianist and chamber musician. In recognition of his significant artistic and academic contribution to the music profession he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London in 2015.
2026 Official Accompanist:
Geoff Urquhart
Geoff leads a busy life as a choir director, accompanist, organist, teacher, and recitalist. Since 1999 Geoff has been the Organist and Choir Master of Wesley Church, Melbourne, and he accompanies and teaches at various Melbourne schools, including Melbourne Grammar and Luther College. He has worked extensively in cabaret. Geoff was resident harpsichord player to the chamber group La Fraternita di Soloisti and he served for many years as organist to the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic in their annual Messiah and Carols concerts. In recent months, he has served as organist with the Heidelberg Choral Society, the Magellan Singers and The Tudor Choristers.
Geoff has been the accompanist and assistant musical director of Low Rez, a large men’s pop choir, since 2010. He specialises in German art song and with the award-winning baritone Daniel Carison performed all the major song cycles of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. Geoff has been heavily involved with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria and has musically directed many performances with them, including their current production of Die Fledermaus, for which he re-arranged the entire orchestral score for small ensemble.