19 September 2025
Remembered through music: Hunt Memorial Concert to fund future AYO talent
A fundraising concert, with performances from AYO alumni, is being held in December in Melbourne to help give young musicians the life-changing opportunity to take part in AYO’s National Music Camp (NMC) next January.
The Hunt Family Memorial Fund Concert, on Sunday 7 December at Toorak Uniting Church, will include performances from special guests including past NMC director and renowned period violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch (née Hunt) and Australian String Quartet cellist, Michael Dahlenburg. A former NMC and Young Symphonists participant, Michael also studied under the late Marianne Hunt. Former AYO principal cello and NMC tutor, Rosanne Hunt, will also be leading a large cello ensemble.
The Hunt family have been part of the AYO community since the 1950s when clarinettist Kenneth and cellist Marianne were NMC tutors and dormitory hosts; in 2002 the family established the fund to honour Kenneth’s contribution to musical development in Australia.
Since its inception in 2002, the Hunt Family Memorial Fund has helped dozens of musicians requiring financial assistance to attend National Music Camp. Proceeds of this year’s concert will increase the power of the fund while celebrating the life of Kenneth (1920-2002) and marking 10 years since the deaths of Marianne (1922-2015) and her daughter, cellist Tanya Prochazka, née Hunt (1952-2015).
READ MORE: Marianne Hunt and Tanya Prochazka: A Tribute | Australian Youth Orchestra
If you are a cellist who would like to take part in the celebratory cello ensemble for the concert, email Rosanne Hunt
Tax-deductible donations to the Hunt Family Memorial Fund can be made HERE