7 July 2025
Showcasing the next generation in colour and sound
AYO musicians wearing Ikuntji Artists’ designs on International Tour
And they’re off!! On Sunday 6 July the Australian Youth Orchestra set off on its long-anticipated International Tour where the young musicians will showcase Australia’s creative talent on the world stage, wearing striking garments featuring designs by First Nations artists.
From Amsterdam to Berlin, the orchestra – made up of more than 100 of the country’s best young musicians aged 16 to 26 – is representing Australia on some of Europe’s grandest stages while debuting new performance outfits from AYO’s collaboration with Ikuntji Artists. The tour will culminate in a Homecoming concert at the Sydney Opera House on 31 July.
Ikuntji Artists is the first art centre established for women of the Western Desert Art Movement. In a pioneering initiative, AYO has commissioned Ikuntji to create unique textile designs, bringing extra vibrancy and colour to the stage. The garments have been crafted by Textile Lab and The Social Outfit, an organisation that has empowered over 1,100 refugees and migrants through training in sewing, manufacturing and retail.
“We are proud to showcase the work of these exceptional First Nations artists on the world stage,” said Kimbali Harding, CEO Australian Youth Orchestra said. “The beautiful designs, together with the power and energy of the orchestra, encapsulate the vibrancy and creativity of Australia. We are incredibly proud to present the orchestra in this way.”
Amy Low, CEO of The Social Outfit, shares: “It’s a thrill to have AYO musicians perform in garments sewn in our Marrickville workroom. We are excited that the skills of our refugee and new migrant sewers will soon be showcased on a global stage.”
Dr Chrischona Schmidt, Director of the Ikuntji Arts Centre, said the partnership fuses the talents of Australian musicians with Indigenous Australian visual artists. “Having their work featured on the world stage by talented young musicians of the AYO provides invaluable exposure and opens doors to future opportunities,” she said.
About the tour
From 18 to 26 July 2025, AYO will perform at some of Europe’s most prestigious venues including the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam; Mecklenberg Vorpommern Festival; Rheingau Festival; Stefaniensaal Graz; Der Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg and Musikverein, Vienna. Led by the inspiring David Robertson – former Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, our exceptional young musicians will perform alongside two phenomenal soloists: violin wunderkind Christian Li and didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton. The program includes spellbinding works by Mendelssohn, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Peter Sculthorpe and more.
Twenty-two year-old concertmaster Robert Smith is already on a first violin contract with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Robert will lead the orchestra for this tour in what will be his sixth year with the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Upon its return from a 6-city European tour, AYO will perform Homecoming – Colour, Sound, Lore at the Concert Hall under Maestro David Robertson on Thursday 31 July.
About Christian Li
At just 18 years of age, Melbourne violinist Christian Li is capturing worldwide attention. At 11 years old he became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Menuhin Competition for Young Violinists. After signing with Decca Records, he recorded Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (2021) and Discovering Mendelssohn (2023). Christian performs on the 1737 ex-Paulsen Guarneri Del Gesu violin.
About William Barton
William Barton is the world’s leading didgeridoo player as well as an esteemed composer, instrumentalist and vocalist. Through his career, William has forged a path in the classical music world from the London, Berlin and Bremer Philharmonic Orchestras to regular appearances with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
About AYO
The Australian Youth Orchestra, founded in 1948, is one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young pre-professional musicians. Over 12,000 musicians have participated in AYO programs, with many alumni now members of professional orchestras worldwide.
David Robertson appears courtesy of Opus 3 Artists