According to Chris Gibbs, GM and Director of World Projects, which also organises the renowned New York Festival at Carnegie Hall and the United Kingdom Music Festival, the NYPCO is the first and only team in the history of all their Festivals to receive full marks of 100 points, and from the panel of three international adjudicators as well.

Invitation to perform at the Festival Command Performance

To top it off, the orchestra was one of three groups to receive the organiser's invitation to perform at the Festival's Closing Ceremony, also known as the Command Performance, at the Sydney Opera House. This privilege is only extended to the best ensembles from the choral and instrumental categories based on their adjudicated performance.

Adjudicated Performance

On June 26 at the Sydney Town Hall, the NYPCO performed three pieces for the Adjudicated Concert, namely Harvest, Capriccio of Sea and Well-Matched Fight. Of a total of 22 teams that participated, three were from the Choral Category and 19 from the Instrumental. The NYPCO was amongst seven teams which received a Gold award in the Instrumental Category.

“It is a great honour for our students to win at this prestigious competition. This award is also a testimony of NYP’s commitment in providing students with an enriching and all-rounded education,” said Mr Anthony Woon, Nanyang Polytechnic’s Director of Academic and Student Affairs.

Comments from organizers & adjudicators on NYPCO’s performances

Dr Lawrence Sutherland from the USA has extensive adjudication experience in the US, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand, China and Japan. He wrote in his comments that he had "never heard such interesting and colourful sounds. The precision, dynamic content and intonation are impeccable. Such wonderful subtle colour rarely have I seen a conductor and group fuse into the music. It is gratifying to hear music played from the heart with such passion and honesty. Thank you for sharing your artistry. This is one performance I will never forget."

Australian Stephen Williams who has directed and performed at Edinburgh, Montreux and Carnegie Hall, and also a former faculty member at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music wrote in his comments: “NYP demonstrated astounding ensemble playing... fantastic cohesion between sections and within sections... expressive music [with] wonderful control of dynamic and phrasing... Unbelievable performance -- truly amazing!!"