19 September 2025
Rehearsals to auditions: Insights into life as a musician with ASO
Nine talented Australian Youth Orchestra musicians recently stepped into the world of professional orchestral music through an immersive Professional Immersion week with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, prior to the orchestra’s performances of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 at Adelaide Town Hall. From side-by-side rehearsals to audition preparation and mentorship from ASO’s principal players, the program offered a rare opportunity to experience life as a professional musician.
Guided by ASO Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth, the selected AYO students received valuable mentoring during the week-long immersion program. This included lessons with an ASO mentor, sectional workshops, professional development sessions and rehearsals with ASO musicians.
The AYO participants were Ami Humphreys (flute), Alex Tsang (oboe), Josephine Daniel (clarinet), Bailey Ireland (bassoon), Emma John (horn), Nathan Herbert (percussion), Sterling Rieck (viola), Joshua Jones (cello) and Rio Kawaguchi (double bass).
“It is always inspiring to be able to share what we do with young musicians, and hopefully we can inspire them in return. Watching the process in which the future becomes the present is a privilege and joy,”said ASO Maestro Wigglesworth.
Viola player Sterling Rieck said the highlight of the ASO Professional Immersion program was attending rehearsals and developing his orchestral playing through feedback from orchestra members.
“It was great to have the opportunity to learn in such a supportive environment and make connections with people who want to see young musicians find success,” he said, thanking the ASO musicians for their invaluable support. “They were always so open to giving me tips and guidance to help me get the most out of the program. They were also really welcoming, and I felt like I was a valued member of the section for the entire duration of the program.”
The program included mentorship sessions in which ASO musicians guided participants on navigating the transition into a professional music career. These sessions also included tips and techniques on auditions, and an orchestral playing seminar and conducting session with Maestro Wigglesworth.
“These sessions were incredibly important to learning about life as a musician. I realised that I need to be patient with my musical journey and to be confident in my abilities.”
Sterling Rieck
“It was great to hear from experienced musicians who were able to provide personal advice based on their individual career experiences and things they would or would not do again,” said Sterling, pictured above.
Audition feedback
At the beginning of the week participants took part in a mock audition, and at the end of the program all nine participants were invited to audition for casual positions with ASO – a process which Sterling described as “very supportive”.
“Being provided a mock audition before the real casual audition was a great opportunity to get feedback to help prepare me for the final audition, which was extremely valuable. The feedback received was not only meaningful for the casual opportunity but also provided me with knowledge and skills that I can apply for future auditions.”
Double bassist Rio Kawaguchi (pictured above with ASO musicians) said a highlight was the string workshop with Lachlan Bramble. “We discussed what makes a successful audition and playing through excerpts. It helped in shifting my focus to what is important rather than the negative thoughts that can get in the way,” she said.
“As someone starting to enter the professional world, being able to perform with ASO is such a valuable experience, as you get to play at such a high standard with incredible musicians. As pre-professionals, we are in a phase of preparing many auditions so to have guidance on preparing is extremely helpful.”
The ASO mentors were Kim Falconer (Principal Flute), Joshua Oates (Principal Oboe), Dean Newcomb (Principal Clarinet), Mark Gaydon (Principal Bassoon), Sarah Barrett (Associate Principal Horn), Steve Peterka (Principal Percussion), Justin Julian (Principal Viola), Sharon Grigoryan (Associate Principal Cello) and David Schilling (Principal Double Bass).
AYO Director of Programs, Warren Lenthall, thanked the ASO for collaborating with the Australian Youth Orchestra on this immersion program. “It is so wonderful to be able to provide this opportunity for AYO musician to immerse themselves within the week’s activities at ASO, and learn from the orchestra’s principal players, many of them alumni of AYOs programs.”