Latest News
Australia's most talented teenage classical musicians to impress Canberrans this April
Australia's most talented orchestral musicians will cut their teeth in the high-pressure world of symphonic performance at the Australian Youth Orchestra's Young Symphonists program in Canberra next month.
The 30 young musicians, selected through competitive audition from around Australia, will train at Canberra Grammar School, honing their skills under the guidance of Australia's most respected tutors and directors.
The program culminates in two public performances at John Lingard Hall and offers free admission for locals keen to witness these gifted, emerging classical musicians perform.
For many, the AYO's Young Symphonists program is the first step on the AYO pathway. The program, for students aged 12 - 17, is an opportunity to perform in an orchestral ensemble with other dedicated musicians.
'These talented musicians travel from all over Australia to take this important step toward developing the skills of playing within an orchestral setting. Symphonic playing is vastly different to solo performances, so the AYO Young Symphonists program is a wonderful opportunity for students to advance their skills,' said the AYO's Chief Executive Officer Colin Cornish.
'We ensure the students are tutored by some of Australia's most talented and established orchestral musicians, so they can experience the joy of playing in a symphony whilst improving their skills.'
The string section will be directed by violinist Michele Walsh whose career has spanned professional performance and music education. Walsh is currently Senior Lecturer, Violin and Head of the String Department at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. She regularly tours nationally and overseas.
Yoram Levy will direct the wind, brass and percussion program. Levy is the Principal Trumpet of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, as well as the brass coordinator and trumpet lecturer at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music.
The AYO's performance at the 2010 BBC Proms with conductor Sir Mark Elder CBE proved that this orchestra gives performances of a standard well beyond their years. Â According to musicalcriticism.com, 'the AYO matched the ranks of professional orchestras for interpretative skill, dedication, and poise, whilst exceeding them, even, in passion'.
Concert details:
Wind, brass and percussion: Friday 29 April 2011, 6.30pm, directed by Yoram Levy
Strings: Saturday 30 April 2011, 6.30pm, directed by Michelle Walsh
Location: John Lingard Hall at Canberra Grammar School
Admission: Free
For more information, please visit www.ayo.com.au or call 1300 668 500.
For more information, please contact:
Angela Cross
Access PR
T: (02) 9279 4133
M: 0412 92 93 97
E: angela@accesspr.com.au
Sylvia Geaitani
Access PR
T: (02) 9279 4033
M: 0414 755 162
E: sylvia@accesspr.com.au
About The AYO
The Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) is one of the world's most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young pre-professional musicians. Our training pathway has been created to nurture the musical development of Australia’s finest young instrumentalists across metropolitan and regional Australia: from the emerging, gifted, school-aged student, to those on the verge of a professional career. The AYO presents over a dozen tailored training and performance programs each year for aspiring musicians, composers, arts administrators and music journalists aged 12 to 30. For more information, visit www.ayo.com.au