Australian Youth Orchestra
The Lifelong Bond of Music: Jillianne Stoll and AYO’s Legacy of Friendship and Collaboration
For many young musicians, being part of the Australian Youth Orchestra is a transformative experience that extends far beyond orchestral mastery and performance. It’s a place where lifelong friendships blossom and creative collaborations take root, shaping careers and personal connections that last for decades. Jillianne (Jill) Stoll’s journey with AYO is a powerful testament to this enduring legacy.
Jill’s first National Music Camp in Brisbane in 1982 introduced her to a new level of musical camaraderie. “It was so exciting to play alongside kids from every state in Australia and to be tutored by top players from around the country,” she recalls. This experience broadened her horizons and deepened her love for orchestral playing, particularly as she performed Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, relishing every moment of its challenging and atmospheric melodies.
Through AYO, Jill toured internationally, joining “The Ambassadors Symphony” on its inaugural European festival tour in 1984. “I was officially a violinist on that tour but also played the celeste in Holst’s The Planets,” she says. “Guy Noble was the pianist, and we all marvelled at how well he played the difficult piano part in Stravinsky’s Petrushka.” This tour was marked by adventure and unexpected challenges—like the time the orchestra’s passports were stolen just days before their departure. “We heard radio bulletins calling for members of The Australian Youth Orchestra to contact authorities,” she laughs. “I was one of the last to get my replacement passport, and it was issued so hastily that I was listed as ‘male’ on it!” Despite these hiccups and an incident involving dropped cellos on the tarmac in Zagreb, the tour was a resounding success, leaving Jill and her peers with memories as vivid as the music they performed.
Another memorable moment occurred after landing in Zagreb in the middle of the night. The airport was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by ‘exit’ lights, with nothing open. A few players took out their instruments and started a spontaneous chamber music session. The orchestra performed in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues, including the Concertgebouw and the Royal Albert Hall, culminating in an unforgettable final concert at the Proms. “There was even an oversized inflatable kangaroo bouncing around in the mosh pit area,” she recalls with a grin. “It felt like the audience’s cheers and the waves of Aussie support wrapped around us as we played Waltzing Matilda as an encore.”
Jill’s journey with AYO eventually led her to a full-time Repetiteur position at the State Opera of South Australia in 1984, after which the piano became her main instrument. While she continued to play the violin in the State Opera Orchestra, her violin playing gradually fell by the wayside after she joined the Music Staff at The Australian Opera in Sydney in late 1988. Nevertheless, Jill credits her extensive orchestral experience for her success as a Repetiteur. “Most pianists who become Repetiteurs don’t have the hundreds of hours of orchestral experience I had,” she notes. “I feel blessed that what I thought was great fun would prepare me for my long career in Australian opera.”
Now, decades later, Jill looks forward to reconnecting with her musical family through REPLA.Y.O—an event at National Music Camp 2025 that invites alumni to celebrate AYO’s legacy. “I’m proud to have friends in major orchestras worldwide,” she shares, “including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestra, as well as all Australian symphony and pit orchestras. It’s amazing to think we all go back four decades.”
Though Jill’s violin may be tucked away, the memories of her time with AYO remain vivid. “Thank you, AYO, for encouraging and fostering such wonderful orchestral training,” she reflects. “The energy we all had, the drive to play our very best—that’s what makes AYO unforgettable. We chose to be there, we wanted to be there, and we made music that will stay with us forever.”
With a laugh, Jill adds, “I don’t think I’m brave enough to dust off my violin for January’s REPLA.Y.O, but I’ll definitely be there on piano, eager to see where everyone’s musical journey has taken them.”
Join Jill and fellow alumni at REPLA.Y.O! This is your opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the vibrant AYO community. Register by 31 October to secure your spot!