A violinist who has travelled far and wide, Leigh Middenway performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra throughout the 1970s and was involved in AYO’s historic 1979 tour to China. AYO sat down with Leigh to discuss the ways in which AYO informed her career and the tenets she values dearly as she guides the next AYO musicians through.
Leigh’s first experience in AYO started in 1976 at National Music Camp and later in the year with the flagship orchestra tour to America for the Bicentennial Celebrations. Being involved in a global conversation in Leigh’s first year of AYO was nothing short of memorable. With celebrations and high energy, from a young age, she became acquainted with performing with jetlag, early flights and the stamina required to perform passionately day in, day out.
The historic 1979 tour to China
Three years later, Leigh was involved in the 1979 AYO tour to China, which was historically significant for a number of reasons. It was special because the AYO was the first Australian orchestra to go and perform in China shortly after the cultural revolution. It was a time in the aftereffects of when previous PM Gough Whitlam had reopened diplomatic ties with China in 1972. The AYO’s presence in China in 1979 was a part of the growing opening of China up to the west. Occurring just one year after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held from December 18-22, 1978, marked a monumental shift in China’s political landscape.
“[China] was such an interesting time, especially as young people to be seeing something like that, you know, a place so different,” says Leigh.
AYO has always been at the forefront of the world, engaging in various global events from 1970 onwards, when they first appeared representing Australia at the Osaka Expo in 1970, Osaka, Japan. From 1979 to 2027, AYO continues to connect with global neighbours, with AYO Symphonists travelling to Singapore perform alongside Singapore National Youth Orchestra and New Zealand Nataional Youth Orchestra at The Esplanade Concert Hall, in March 2027.
Various articles from The Canberra Times reported on the AYO 1979 tour to China (credit: National Archives of Australia – Trove)
Sharing the universe of music
From Leigh’s first experience in AYO, she then went onto becoming a member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, which at the time was touring worldwide. When she reflects back on what it was about AYO programs which informed her experience, Leigh boils it down to one thing; finding her community.
“I didn’t have any yearning to have a solo career. I wanted to play chamber music and in a symphony orchestra. There was a strong feeling when I grew up, that I didn’t especially belong to the high school or the school that I went to before that, because playing the violin was a bit weird.”
“But when I first went to my first National Music Camp it just felt like, ‘Oh, I belong…I know where I fit in the world’.” ‘
After a significant performing career, Leigh has turned her energies to teaching, which she finds extremely fulfilling. Her activities range from teaching very young beginners to conducting small groups and tutoring violin groups at Sydney Youth Orchestra and The Arts Unit, NSW.
As she sees the next generation of students coming through, she urges them more than ever, with the rise of technology, “listen to as much music as possible and become historically involved in whatever you’re playing. To… regard composers as people, not just in name that you barely notice on the top of the music. And immerse yourself in the history of the time.”
The Direction of Youth Music in Australia
From someone who has seen the changes first-hand, Leigh finds that the state of youth classical music is only moving up and up. From her early days playing in AYO, she sees great benefit pathways AYO offers musicians.
“AYO informs students that there is a great deal more to being in the music profession then just being able to play an instrument fast and loud.”
With more arts infrastructure and development, Leigh finds the future of classical music in the country to be very bright. Sitting on audition panels for the Sydney Youth Orchestra and The Arts Unit, NSW, she can see for herself the talent and passion that is up and coming. “The numbers are rising and all I can say is that I’m incredibly thrilled with the standard of youth music.”
From 1976 to now, AYO cherishes the connections formed and the memories the organisation holds for so many. To take a walk down memory lane or share a story with us check out the ‘AYO Through the Years’ page or subscribe to our monthly newsletter via this link.
