Australian Youth Orchestra

AYO Orchestral Career Development

Australian Youth Orchestra

All your experience as a student and player reaches a pinnacle when you become a member of AYO’s flagship ensemble: the Australian Youth Orchestra. Selection is an acknowledgement of excellence at a national level.

This program will give you a taste of the rich possibilities of today’s world of orchestral music-making. You’ll tackle inspiring repertoire, collaborate with some of the world’s most innovative artists and perform in prestigious venues throughout Australia.

Artists

AYO Winter Season

AYO Summer Season

Conductor

Matthew Coorey

Matthew Coorey began his conducting career in 2003 when he was appointed Assistant Conductor to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This initial one-year contract then became a three-year commitment when he was appointed the RLPO’s first Conductor in Residence. Debuts soon followed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony, the Philharmonia, the Hallé, Ensemble 10:10 and the London Mozart Players. Read more

Soloist

Matthew McDonald, double bass

Matthew McDonald is Principal Double Bass of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Born in Canberra, Australia, he began his studies with Max McBride at the Canberra School of Music in 1996, later continuing with Kees Boersma at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he completed his Bachelor of Music. From 2000 to 2001 he was a scholar of the Berliner Philharmonic’s Orchestral Academy, after which he was engaged as Associate Principal Bass of the Danish National Orchestra. Read more

Conductor

Benjamin Northey

Australian conductor Benjamin Northey is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Conductor in Residence of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Previously Resident Guest Conductor of the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (2002-2006) and Principal Conductor of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (2007-2010), Limelight Magazine named him Australian Artist of the Year in 2018. Read more

Repertoire to include:

AYO Winter Season

EÖTVÖS AURORA (Australian Premiere)
FORD The Meaning of Trees (World Premiere)
STRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite (1911)

What’s involved?

As a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra you will undertake two orchestral seasons alongside the best young musicians from across the country.

AYO Winter Season will be directed by renowned conductor Matthew Coorey, and will include the world premiere of a work by composer Andrew Ford. AYO musicians will also perform the Australian premiere of a work by Peter Eötvös, featuring a solo appearance by Principal Double Bass of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Matthew McDonald—himself an AYO alumnus.

Later in the year the orchestra will come together once more to present an exciting orchestral season under the baton of conductor Benjamin Northey.

AYO Winter
Season

When

3–12 July 2021

Where

Sydney, NSW & Canberra, ACT

AYO Summer
Season

When

8–16 December 2021

Where

Melbourne, VIC

Cost
$1,295 per season

AYO will arrange and cover all travel, instrument freight, meals and accommodation costs associated with the program.

Eligibility

25 years and under as at 1 January 2021

Minimum standard AMEB Grade 7 or equivalent

Open to all orchestral instruments including harp and piano

Participants must be available for both seasons

AYO’s 2021 programs have been designed to ensure the utmost safety and wellbeing of our participants and staff, including additional health management and social distancing guidelines. Please note that the programs offered in 2021 will only go ahead if it is safe for them to do so.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work to bring our AYO experiences to life next year. Read more about AYO’s 2021 programs in relation to COVID-19 in this statement.

AYO National Music Camps