AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA TRANSFORMS ADELAIDE INTO CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR SUMMER 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 November 2024
AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA TRANSFORMS ADELAIDE INTO CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR SUMMER 2025
The Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) is set to transform Adelaide/Kaurna Country into a hub of musical excellence with its 2025 Summer Music Festival, showcasing 250 of the nation's most promising young classical musicians aged 12-26.
Festival Highlights
Seven extraordinary concerts: 11, 16, 17, and 18 January 2025
World-class creative direction by Monica Curro (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
Internationally acclaimed conductors Alexander Briger AO (Australian World Orchestra), Natalia Luis-Bassa (Royal College of Music), and Andrew Haveron (Sydney Symphony Orchestra)
Composer-in-residence Jessica Wells
Host and musical storyteller Ed le Brocq
Interactive Festival Experience For the first time, AYO partners with Carclew to create an immersive arts playground from 16-18 January. The Festival Hub on the lawn will feature:
Interactive musical installations
Hands-on instrument-making workshops
Meet-the-musician sessions
Refreshments and Sweet Treats
Pop-up performances
Creative arts activities for all ages
Festival Programme Highlights
VICTORY IN AMBER (Saturday 11 January, 4:00pm) A romantic and defiant concert featuring music "capable of stirring the world"
CINNAMON ROSE (Saturday 11 January, 7:30pm) Travel through time with the sparkle of Strauss's waltzes and the spicy, foot-tapping beats of Márquez's Danzón No. 2.
GREEN FIELDS (Thursday 16 January, 7:30pm) A bouquet of hand-picked chamber works awaits, each piece chosen to surprise and delight.
THROUGH THE PRISM (Friday 17 January, 6:30pm) Prepare your senses for the freshest sounds in orchestral music, guided by composer-in-residence Jessica Wells.
CLASHING COLOURS (Friday 17 January, 8:00pm) Red and green, blue and orange, Brass and Percussion. A fun and irreverent concert.
FIRES OF INDIGO (Saturday 18 January, 4:00pm) With twilight's brush, the orchestra paints elemental magic featuring Sibelius's Symphony No. 2.
COLOURBURST (Saturday 18 January, 7:30pm) A kaleidoscopic finale featuring works by Hyde, Britten, Ortiz, and Prokofiev.
A Feast for the Senses
The 2025 Summer Music Festival promises a kaleidoscope of musical experiences, from the romance of Strauss to the drama of Dvořák and the Nordic beauty of Sibelius. Audiences will be transported to the battlefields of Eastern Europe with Janáček's Taras Bulba and explore contemporary gems by Mexican composers Gabriela Ortiz and Arturo Márquez.
AYO CEO Kimbali Harding said, "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. Founded by John Bishop, the first Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, National Music Camp is an annual event which has a long history in Adelaide. We're thrilled to offer Adelaide audiences a chance to experience the passion and skill of our country's finest young musicians in a relaxed and welcoming environment."
Creative Director Monica Curro said, “The festival will be an incredible experience. At National Music Camp, you will step into an immersive world of orchestral and chamber music for two of the most intense and inspiring weeks young musicians will ever have, guided by the best conductors and tutors from Australia and around the world.”
REPLA.Y.O: A Special Alumni Reunion
Running alongside the Summer Music Festival, AYO presents REPLA.Y.O (16-19 January 2025), a unique reunion project bringing together AYO alumni and friends at the University of Adelaide. This special initiative offers former AYO musicians the chance to reconnect, relive, and replay their orchestra experience.
Special guest conductor Guy Noble, commemorating AYO's historic 1984 Ambassador Tour, leads this warm reunion during National Music Camp. Alumni will have the opportunity to:
Reconnect with fellow musicians from across the decades
Perform alongside today's promising young artists
Experience an accessible programme featuring Beethoven, Johann Strauss Jr, Tchaikovsky, and Jessica Wells
Participate in a long weekend of music-making and memories
The project culminates in a free public performance, celebrating the organisation's rich legacy and the enduring spirit of AYO's musical community.
Ticket Information
Early Bird: $5 (ends 30 November 2024)
General Admission: $10
Festival Pass: $40 (all 7 concerts)
Festival Pass (Students & Concession): $30 (all 7 concerts)
Bookings: https://ayo.com.au/events/ayo-summer-music-festival/
Featured artists and interview opportunities
Monica Curro - Creative Director One of Australia's most dynamic musical forces, Monica Curro brings over three decades of orchestral excellence to her role as Creative Director. Currently Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Curro is renowned for her innovative programming and dedication to nurturing young talent. A founding member of the PLEXUS ensemble and passionate advocate for contemporary Australian music, she has premiered over 100 new works. Her appointment as Creative Director marks a bold new chapter in AYO's commitment to artistic excellence.
Alexander Briger AO - Conductor Alexander Briger AO is the founder and Chief Conductor of the Australian World Orchestra (AWO). A protégé of Sir Charles Mackerras, Briger has conducted prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. His interpretations of Czech and contemporary repertoire have earned international acclaim. In 2016, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the arts as a leading conductor.
Natalia Luis-Bassa - Conductor Venezuelan-born conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa is a professor at the Royal College of Music and one of classical music's most inspiring leaders. Her dynamic approach has earned her critical acclaim across Europe and Latin America. As a champion of diversity in classical music, Luis-Bassa has broken barriers throughout her career, becoming the first woman to conduct several major orchestras in South America. Her interpretations of Latin American repertoire are particularly celebrated for their authenticity and passion.
Andrew Haveron - Conductor As Concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra since 2013, Andrew Haveron brings extraordinary depth to his conducting engagements. Former leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and founding member of the Brodsky Quartet, Haveron's illustrious career spans solo performances, chamber music, and conducting. His recordings, particularly of British violin repertoire, have received numerous awards, and his interpretation of the Sibelius Violin Concerto is considered definitive by many critics.
Ed le Brocq - Host and Musical Storyteller One of Australia's most engaging musical communicators, Ed le Brocq brings classical music to life for audiences of all ages. Known for his work as a broadcaster, producer, and presenter, le Brocq combines deep musical knowledge with infectious enthusiasm. His innovative approach to concert presentation has revolutionised how audiences engage with classical music, making complex works accessible without compromising artistic integrity. Le Brocq's unique storytelling style bridges the gap between performers and audiences, creating immersive concert experiences.
Jessica Wells - Composer-in-Residence Jessica Wells stands at the forefront of Australian composition, crafting works that blend classical traditions with contemporary innovation. Her portfolio spans orchestral works, chamber music, and film scores, with commissions from major orchestras and ensembles worldwide. Known for her versatility, Wells has orchestrated for artists including Lorde and Flight Facilities while maintaining a strong presence in contemporary classical music. Her residency with AYO reflects her commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians through new Australian works.
About AYO
The Australian Youth Orchestra, founded in 1948, is one of the world's most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young pre-professional musicians. Over 12,000 musicians have participated in AYO programmes, with many alumni now members of professional orchestras worldwide.
Media Contact: Samuel Cairnduff
RESONATE Communications
samuel.j.cairnduff@gmail.com | 0401 396 755
Comments
Post a Comment