From January 11th to 18th 2025, Adelaide will host the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) Summer Music Festival. The event promises to be a significant focus of orchestral music, featuring 250 of the country’s most talented young musicians aged between 12 and 26. Over the course of the festival, audiences in Adelaide will be treated to seven outstanding concerts under the guidance of some of the world’s leading musical talents.
The festival boasts a stellar line-up of conductors including Alexander Briger AO of the Australian World Orchestra, Natalia Luis-Bassa from the Royal College of Music, and Andrew Haveron from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Monica Curro, a notable figure from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, will serve as the creative director. The event will also feature a composer-in-residence, Jessica Wells, alongside host and musical storyteller Ed le Brocq, and special guest Richard Wigley who will lead professional development sessions.
Kimbali Harding, AYO CEO, stated, “The AYO Summer Music Festival opens up the concert series at the heart of National Music Camp to audiences of all ages and experiences. It’s a vibrant showcase of Australia’s musical future, right in the heart of South Australia with diverse artists and music from around the world.”
In an innovative partnership with Carclew, the festival will also include an immersive arts playground from January 16th to 18th. The Festival Hub on the lawn will feature interactive musical installations, hands-on instrument-making workshops, and meet-the-musician sessions among other activities. This engaging space will cater to all ages, incorporating refreshments, sweet treats, pop-up performances, and creative arts activities.
Among the concert highlights are the varied thematic performances scheduled throughout the week. From the stirring tunes of “Victory in Amber” and the energetic “Cinnamon Rose” to the classical depth of “Green Fields” and the fresh sounds in “Through the Prism,” the programmes are meticulously crafted to offer something captivating for everyone. The “Clashing Colours,” “Fires of Indigo,” and “Colourburst” bring the festival to an exhilarating close with their bold and imaginative repertoires.
The festival will not only immerse attendees in the emotional depths of orchestral music but also take them on a journey through different eras and styles. From the elegant compositions of Strauss to the suggestive rhythms of Sibelius, and modern works by Mexican composers like Gabriela Ortiz, the festival is a haven for diverse musical tastes.
Running concurrently from January 16th to 19th is REPLA.Y.O, a reunion initiative by the AYO for its alumni. This special event, led by Guy Noble, offers former AYO musicians the opportunity to revisit their orchestral roots. The alumni will engage in a series of performances and experiences, culminating in a free public performance showcasing the orchestra’s rich history and communal spirit.
Ticket prices are highly accessible, with general admission at $10, and festival passes offering access to all seven concerts at $40, or $30 for students and concessions.
Bookings: https://ayo.com.au/events/ayo-summer-music-festival/
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