View of two clarinettists and a French Horn player rehearsing during AYO National Camp 2023.

2023 Wrap-Up

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2023 has been a big year for AYO! As the end of the year approaches, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the musical adventures which have taken place.

A young violinist wearing an AYO t-shift smiles during a rehearsal.
Credit: Lisa Maree Williams

JANUARY – AYO National Music Camp

Adelaide

In an amazing milestone, 2023 year marked 75 years of National Music Camp! Over 200 musicians came together for a jam-packed two weeks, learning from an incredible team of tutors and performing under conductors James Judd, Umberto Clerici and ensemble director Elizabeth Layton.

And no camp would be complete without the traditional Staff v. Students cricket match. According to our records, the staff team have an unbroken 75-year winning streak… This statistic is disputed by participants, but perhaps they’re just sore losers?

Stream the four orchestral concerts at Elder Hall for free!

View of two clarinettists and a French Horn player rehearsing during AYO National Camp 2023.
Credit: Claudio Raschella
A young cellist smiles as she performs on stage.
Credit: Claudio Raschella

Stream concert 1

Stream concert 2

Three young cellists stand backstage dressed in concert blacks.
Credit: Claudio Raschella
A group of young musicians smile at the camera while standing together on a cricket oval

Stream concert 3

Stream concert 4

FEBRUARY – AYO Chamber Players

Melbourne

AYO’s Chamber Players presented a diverse program which featured classical chamber works as well as 21st century compositions, including Andrew Batterhams’ Melbourne Mosaic, a love letter to the city’s most iconic locations, and Elena Kats-Chernin’s Blue Silence, dedicated to artists who have schizophrenia.

A wind quintet rehearses in a small chamber venue.
Credit: Fabrizio Evans
A violinist smiles as she leans forward and makes a note on her sheet music.
Credit: Fabrizio Evans
A piano trio chamber group laughs while they rehearse.
Credit: Fabrizio Evans
A brass quintet rehearses in a small chamber venue.
Credit: Fabrizio Evans

APRIL – Australian Youth Orchestra

Perth

The Australian Youth Orchestra performed the poignant Adagietto movement from Mahler’s Symphony No.5 and Shostakovich’s tempestuous Symphony No.10 under the baton of Eivind Aadland.

Stream the concert at Perth Concert Hall for free

An orchestra of young musicians perform on stage.
Credit: Edify Media
An orchestra of young musicians perform on stage.
Credit: Edify Media
An orchestra of young musicians stand on stage for applause.
Credit: Edify Media
An orchestra of young musicians perform on stage.
Credit: Edify Media

JULY – Australian Youth Orchestra

Canberra, Sydney

The Australian Youth Orchestra presented three sweeping works inspired by Australian stories and the tenacity of the human spirit in times of darkness.

Ngapa William Cooper was born out of a rich collaboration between composer Nigel Westlake, singer-songwriter Lior, and performer and academic Dr Lou Bennett AM.

Stream the concert at Sydney Opera House for free

Dr Lou Bennett AM performs on stage while holding branches of gum leaves in each hand.
Credit: Claudio Raschella
An orchestra of young musicians perform on stage, lit in blue light.
Credit: Claudio Raschella
An orchestra of young musicians perform on stage, lit in red light.
Credit: Claudio Raschella
Singer-songwriter Lior performs on stage with the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Credit: Claudio Raschella

SEPTEMBER – AYO Young Symphonists

Bathurst, NSW

The AYO Young Symphonists orchestra took on an ambitious program and played with musician sensitivity beyond their years. Conductor Simon Hewett guided the orchestra through a unique interpretation of Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and the colossal Symphony No.2 by Rachmaninov.

Two French Horn players smile during an orchestra rehearsal.
An orchestra of young musicians in concert blacks perform on stage.
Credit: Gro Creative
Three young oboists perform during a performance.
Credit: Gro Creative
Two young double bass players laugh together during a rehearsal.

SEPTEMBER – Momentum Ensemble project 1

Coffs Harbour, NSW

The first Momentum Ensemble project for the year was a collaboration between Amiti Quartet, Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium, and educator Patricia Pollett.

Amiti Quartet and Patricia were the Artists-in-Residence during the Conservatorium’s annual String Camp.
Check out violist Helena Burns’ blog post on the experience

Amiti String Quartet perform on stage at Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium.
Amiti String quartet smile on stage while standing in front of a Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium banner.

NOVEMBER – Momentum Ensemble project 2

Spring Bay Mill, Triabunna TAS

Momentum Ensemble, this time in form of a string orchestra, took on a soulful program under the leadership of violinist and festival director Jack Liebeck. They performed in the beautiful surrounds of Spring Bay Mill in Tasmania.

Three young musicians laugh as they hold their instruments,
Credit: Alastair Bett
A string orchetsra performs in a venue with corrugated iron walls.
Credit: Alastair Bett

DECEMBER – Momentum Ensemble project 3

Sydney, NSW

Momentum Ensemble teamed up with Choir of St James’ Church under the baton of choral director Warren Trevelyan-Jones for a concert featuring Ottorino Respighi’s la Natività del Signore and Anton Bruckner’s Mass No.2 in E minor.

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