Exuberance abounds at AYO Symphonists in Canberra

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It was billed as a Voyage of Discovery. And for the 68 selected AYO Symphonists musicians who took part in the week-long intensive orchestral music camp in Canberra it was a non-stop adventure packed with learning, fun and leading to lifelong friendships for many.

On a clear and crisp Canberra afternoon, more than 600 people packed into Snow Concert Hall on 11 April to hear these outstanding Australian high-school age musicians perform a challenging repertoire – just one week after coming together for the residential ‘orchestral bootcamp’ on the grounds of Canberra Grammar School with renowned Singaporean conductor Chan Tze Law and under the tutelage of 14 exceptional instrumental tutors from around Australia.

“It’s really quite something to work on repertoire for a whole week and then to finally be on stage in front of an audience and to see it all come together in front of your eyes,” said AYO Symphonists double bassist and AYO Youth Council Co-Chair, QiQi Lu.

“I feel so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in such a short amount of time…I was so moved being on stage and I also had so much fun working with Maestro Tze Law. It was just incredible.”

QiQi Lu, AYO Symphonist double bass

The concert program included Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet: Fantasy Overture, with its unapologetically romantic earworm, Elgar’s In the South, Australian composer Naomi Dodd’s energetic piece Run and a new work by Singaporean-Malay composer Shafiqah ‘Adha Sallehin called Awakened.

For QiQi, one of their favourite pieces to play was the Elgar “because of how exuberant it is to play and how together it feels to be on stage.”

“I also really enjoyed all the tutti rehearsals every night. It was really really cool to see the difference between every single rehearsal because on the first day to the second there’s such a difference… It’s like a completely different orchestra every single night and you never know what to expect.”

Making connections

For harpist, Lorren Lee, the best part about AYO Symphonists camp was meeting other people. “My favourite part of the week was learning new things in orchestra and rehearsing with all other musicians and getting to know about each other and connect.”

Tasmanian-based concertmaster Sam Hooper also enjoyed connecting with other musicians.  “I felt that we had a really good chemistry between the conductor and the principals and all of our sections,” he said, adding that the best part of the week for him was playing in the chamber music ensembles. “Coming from a regional area, where there’s less people and less musicians, it’s really important to me to have that opportunity,” he said.

Percussionist Mikayla Yap, said she also enjoyed the chamber music in camp.

“Getting to learn from your peers is a very different experience versus learning from your tutors and I think it’s one that you can really only get at AYO.”

Mikayla Yap, AYO Symphonist percussionist

She added that the most important part was having fun. “Even if any of us made mistakes, we all had fun. I think that’s what matters at an AYO concert.”

For clarinettist Kate Fraser, the highlight was working with tutor and AYO alumna, Amy Whyte: “This week at AYO Symphonists we have been doing a lot of professional development sessions and chamber music and the highlight was working with Amy getting all of the knowledge from the tutors.”

‘Technically outstanding’

Of the 14 tutors working alongside the Symphonists, nearly all were AYO alumni. Percussion tutor Fraser Descovich – a Brisbane-based percussionist and timpanist who performs regularly with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Queensland’s Camerata –  said he really enjoyed working with a “great group of young participants”.

“They have been so receptive and willing to try new things. They have been excited through the process. One of the really big things for these programs is meeting those people who are going to be your peers throughout your professional career. They’re already getting a great sense of who their colleagues are going to be.”

Fraser Descovich, AYO Symphonist Percussion Tutor

Viola tutor Jane Hazelwood, who was Tutti Viola with Sydney Symphony Orchestra for 30 years and has performed with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra including on two international tours, praised the participants for their enthusiasm and technical ability.

“They’re all so keen and have such a great attitude. They are just here to learn and so by the end of the week I have this beautiful team of violists working together,” she said, describing the program as “very demanding”. “In SSO we find it demanding to play Elgar In the South. But the Symphonists have really come to the party. They did a wonderful job, technically they’re outstanding.”

‘Exceptional’ to ‘enlightening’

Audience members described the concert as “unmissable”, “unforgettable”, “exuberating” and “enlightening”. “It was very emotionally powerful,” said another.

Reviewer Sarah Byrne, writing in Canberra City News, said the concert was “a brilliant demonstration of every aspect of the orchestra’s range”.

“A Highlight of the concert was the famous and insanely quotable Fantasy Overture from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet…This was performed gloriously and impeccably, with [Chan Tze] Law’s skilled nuance yielding dynamics from thunderous to gently heartbreaking,” she said.

“These musicians are exceptional, and do not require the caveat “for their age” in any way. These are artists of professional standard, playing challenging music at an advanced level.”

Sarah Bryne, Canberra City News.

“The AYO is a remarkable initiative and their work is fully worthy of the attention of the serious aficionado of classical music.”