Australian Youth Orchestra
2019 – The Year Gone By
A Collection of Facts and Figures
to Sum Up the Year
130
All 9
musicians did their very first AYO program. Welcome aboard! It’s wonderful to have you in the AYO community.
AYO musicians passed their casual audition for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of the ASO Fellowships!
During the ASO Fellowship, musicians received mentoring from ASO musicians before undertaking an audition for the orchestra. Well done to Cassie Slater, Alexandra Allan, Andrew Fong, Stephanie Sheridan, Tim Allen-Ankins, Amanda Chen, Justin Julian, Hamish Jamieson, and Vanessa Li.
AYO bassoonist Stephanie shared her excitement of passing the audition:
“I PASSED! Yesterday I sat my first ever casual/sub audition and passed! It has been SUCH an inspiring and exciting week undertaking a fellowship with the Adelaide Symphony… I couldn’t wipe that smile off my face. It’s really nice to be able to leave an audition experience and not care about the result because you had so much fun.”
Program participants hailed from all 8 Australian states and territories, with the youngest aged 14 and the oldest aged 28.
32
14
concerts were performed across the programs in 19 different venues.
young musicians received awards from the Ernest V. Llewellyn Memorial Fund.
570
11
The number of program places on offer for young Australian musicians in 2019.
The number of Australian works performed by AYO ensembles this year, including five premieres!
‘What a treat to perform last night with the Momentum Ensemble and my most favourite musicians… conducted by Nigel Westlake. Thank you @australianyouthorchestra and @nationaltheatre for such a special night!’
Lior Attar, Australian singer-songwriter
‘It’s wonderful to hear back from overseas that there was a great reception and the piece was received really well!’
Holly Harrison, composer
There are plenty of ways to stay involved as an alumni with AYO. Meet some of the alumni who were familiar faces on programs this year:
Eliza Shephard
Lachlan Skipworth
Flute, 2010-2015
Current Momentum Ensemble musician
Librarian, AYO National Music Camp
Composition, 2007
Commissioned Composer,
Momentum Ensemble
Belinda McFarlane
Patrick Brearley
Violin, 1983-1988
Tutor, AYO International Tour
Director, Momentum Ensemble
Viola, 2008-2015
Residential Coordinator,
AYO National Music Camp
3 AYO alumni were named finalists for the prestigious Freedman Classical Fellowship – Violist Katie Yap and Double Bassists Rohan Dasika and Jonathon Heilbron competed in an outstanding final concert where Rohan was awarded the Fellowship. Bravo to all!
AYO performances featured in 16 radio broadcasts, both in Australia and overseas.
There were 11 new episodes released on the AYO podcast this year – which were listened to in over 50 countries!
The AYO Facebook Community ticked over 12,000 followers this year.