Australian Youth Orchestra
One Step Closer…
The AYO Orchestral Career Development program provides musicians with a highly effective stepping stone to a professional music career. Last month nine AYO string players participated in Stage One of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra String Fellowships.
Each musician was mentored by a member of the MSO, receiving individual lessons and joining them to play in and observe rehearsals. They also attended professional development sessions, including hearing from MSO musicians and management about ‘Life as a Professional Musician’, concerto and excerpt workshops with AYO Board member and MSO Assistant Principal 2nd Violin, Monica Curro, and MSO Assistant Principal Double Bass Sylvia Hosking, Alexander Technique sessions with Ann Shoebridge and Media Training with ABC Classic FM producer Stephen Snelleman.
Many of the MSO mentors are AYO alumni themselves and all enjoyed the opportunity to pass on some of the knowledge they have learnt and to develop a close relationship with their musician during the program.
The intensive week culminated in a casual audition for the MSO with a very high artistic standard reached across all instruments. Five AYO musicians were successful and are now available to be booked as casual musicians with the MSO. Congratulations to violinist Zoe Freisberg, cellists Oliver Scott and Anna Pokorny and double bassists Rohan Dasika and Jonathan Heilbron. Stage Two of the program will see them return to play alongside their mentors for three weeks.
Our thanks to Symphony Services International and MSO management who were incredibly supportive and welcoming to our participants.