The Australian Youth Orchestra, February 2009
28 Jan– 15 February 2009: Melbourne, Geelong, Canberra

Twenty-eight year old conductor, Alexander Shelley, who is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most creative musical talents of his generation, will make his debut with the orchestra this season, as it performs some of the most powerful and popular orchestral repertoire of the 19th and 20th century.

The Australian Youth Orchestra is made up of musicians aged 25 years and under, from all over Australia.  In February 2009, the orchestra returns to captivate audiences with powerful and popular orchestral repertoire from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Shostakovich’s acclaimed Symphony No.5, Bernstein’s richly orchestrated West Side Story: Symphonic Dances, and Dukas’ symphonic poem The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

The Australian Youth Orchestra is recognised as one of Australia's finest orchestras; its 2008 performances were testament to this, described as being “irrepressibly spirited” and “truly gorgeous” (The Australian, 2008).  The Australian Youth Orchestra regularly tours internationally and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007 with its seventh European tour.

Alexander Shelley was unanimously awarded first prize in the 2005 Leeds Conductors Competition. Recent highlights include dates at the BBC Proms, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Philharmonic. Upcoming dates include the Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie.