Australian Youth Orchestra
Your Support Makes a Difference
2014 has been a triumphant year for AYO’s 321 musicians. These life changing opportunities were made possible thanks to the support of our 400+ donors, sponsors, and foundations.
2014 has been a triumphant year for AYO’s 321 musicians. They have gained professional performance and broadcast experience at over 30 concerts in metropolitan and regional centres around the country, undergone intensive training with world-leading conductors and educators, and shared the stage with acclaimed soloists.
They have enhanced their skills set through a range of vocational mentoring sessions including networking strategies, injury management, health/wellbeing advice and audition tips. They have also had the honour of representing the best of Australian talent with exclusive performances at The Australian’s 50-year celebration and the G20 Leaders’ Summit reception in Brisbane.
These life changing opportunities were made possible thanks to the support of our 400+ donors, sponsors and foundations who contribute a third of our annual income – funds necessary to deliver our programs, nurture talent and pursue excellence both on and off the stage.
Many supporters also contributed their time and expertise – hosting AYO events in their home, advocating for AYO amongst their networks, promoting AYO concerts to new audiences, contributing to our publications and providing valuable advice.
‘It’s very important for music to be cherished and to be supported, particularly for the youth because they’re our future generation of storytellers.’
William Barton, didgeridoo virtuoso
The Conductor’s Circle
Believing that world class training requires world class teachers, members of The Conductor’s Circle support the involvement of internationally acclaimed conductors and guest artists to mentor, tutor, and inspire AYO’s young musicians. In 2014 our shared passion for excellence saw conductors Richard Gill, Alexander Bloch, James Judd, Simone Young, Howard Penny, Fabian Russell and Nicholas Carter weave their magic across AYO programs. While virtuosos James Morrison, Ray Chen, William Barton, Genevieve Lacey and Karin Schaupp’s playing, and exuberance elevated the musicians to a new level of performance.
‘The chance to work with both James Judd and James Morrison has been extraordinary and the things I have learned just from listening to them will stay with me throughout my career.’
Owen Morris, trumpet player
Scholarship
This year the AYO Scholarships Fund helped 135 of AYO’s talented musicians participate in our training programs. Thanks to your generosity, the fund distributed over $200,000 to offset travel, program and accommodation costs, helping to ensure talent was the only requirement for participation. Our 2014 scholarship donors have had an immediate and lifelong impact.
James Anderson, 17, a cello player from Tasmania, was able to participate in his first National Music Camp which he found to be a transformative experience that “opened up my mind like never before”.
Esther Wong, 19, a violinist from rural NSW, has limited access to orchestral experiences and connections with fellow musicians. Thanks to a scholarship, she was able to participate in three AYO programs – National Music Camp and the February and July orchestral seasons. As a result, her violin technique and overall musicianship dramatically improved. So much so that upon hearing her play, “my family said that it was like listening to a different person!”
International Tour Fund
It seems like only yesterday that we embarked on our last international tour – playing to sold out houses and standing ovations across Europe. In 2016, another wave of talented musicians will have their chance to become global artists during AYO’s 22nd International Tour. Planning has already started and thanks to our International Tour Fund supporters, we raised over $160,000 this year. Over the next two years, we aim to raise a further $380,000 to fund this ambitious tour.
‘I’ve been enjoying so much working with these musicians. I’ve been so impressed with how well trained they are: they seem to have great teachers and they’re wonderful, sensitive musicians.’
Joshua Bell, soloist, 2013 International Tour
‘This is undoubtedly the best musical experience to date, working with the best young Australian musicians and the world class Joshua Bell and Christoph Escenbach.’
Benjamin Messenger, horn player
Annual Appeal
AYO’s 2014 Annual Appeal was our most successful to date, raising almost $32,000. These funds helped sustain core activities like AYO National Music Camp, orchestral seasons and our career fellowships. Only with a strong foundation can we continue to meet the standard of excellence necessary for training the country’s best young musicians.
‘It is not merely the exceptionally high calibre of tutors, conductors and young instrumentalists which stands out; the sheer enthusiasm of every musician there cultivates an encouraging environment where every person is devoted to both artistic excellence and the joy and beauty of music.’
Euphina Yap, percussion player
The John Bishop Circle
This year we welcomed Alumni Jane Hardie and Antony Morgan to The John Bishop Circle (JBC), AYO’s recognition program for planned giving. Like all of the visionary members of the JBC, Jane and Antony believe the life changing opportunities AYO provides should be accessible to future generations. Their pledge to include a gift to AYO in their Will helps make this a reality. Recently, AYO was also the grateful recipient of bequests from the estates of Kevin Lanyon and Geoffrey Scharer. While their contributions will have a lasting impact, the most immediate has been supporting the development of AYO’s newest program for pre-professional musicians that addresses the diverse skills required for a multi-faceted music career.
‘I feel that I owe my career to the Australian Youth Orchestra. I received support to attend National Music Camp, without which I might never have become a musician. So, I’m very happy to give something back.’
Antony Morgan, AYO Alumnus & Bequestor
Trusts and Foundations
Trusts and Foundations provide certainty by funding annual programs and access opportunities, while allowing us the freedom to innovate by supporting new initiatives. 2014 highlights include:
• Colonial Foundation – an AYO partner for the last 9 years – supported the unique training and performance opportunities of AYO Chamber Players and AYO Young Symphonists
• In partnership with The Klein Family Foundation, AYO developed the annual Concertmaster Fellowship. In its inaugural year, this enabled 2014 Concertmaster Yuhki Mayne to extend his technical, performance and leadership skills.
• The Robert Salzer Foundation believed in our vision to provide a multi-faceted skills set for our most advanced students, and invested in our new pre-professional program. These musicians were then able to use these skills to inspire another generation, mentoring music students in the Dandenong Ranges.
Along with support from the Collier Charitable Fund, James N. Kirby Foundation, The Lydia Morberger Piano Trust and McCusker Charitable Foundation, AYO’s unique opportunities were enjoyed by music students around the country.
Sponsorship
AYO corporate sponsors are important partners in our pursuit of excellence, national reach, community engagement and nurturing a vibrant cultural landscape. In our seventh year of partnership, Principal Sponsor Accenture continues to drive AYO forward by building our capacity for sustainability. This year their expertise helped AYO deliver a number of digital initiatives – highlights included workshops via video link up to primary schools in Tamworth, Orange and Dunedoo, a live concert broadcast to Mt Isa, and a Masterclass with Ray Chen that was streamed live on our website. We welcomed back two partners in 2014 – The University of QLD and UBS – and renewed long standing relationships with Five D, King & Wood Mallesons, Avis, Sofitel, Sothertons, Arnold Bloch Leibler, Wollumbi Estate and Pimpernel Vineyards. Leading by example, these important partners funded programs, provided essential services, encouraged excellence, celebrated achievements, and increased access for musicians and audiences alike.
It’s thanks to our donors and supporters that we can continue to discover, train and inspire the next generation of Australian musicians.