Discovering the Joy of Music

For more than 100 years, the MSO has worked to bring to the beauty and joy of music to the community. In 2022, MSO continued its proud tradition of creating opportunities for audiences of all ages to engage with and learn more about symphonic music.

Ears Wide Open

The MSO’s much-loved Ears Wide Open series continued in 2022, providing classically-curious audiences with an accessible entry-point to the orchestral artform, focusing on deconstructing a single piece of core classical repertoire per event. Following the success of the digital presentation of Ears Wide Open in 2021, necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions on live performance, the 2022 series was presented live and simultaneously livestreamed across the country.

Audiences were guided through what makes each work a masterpiece of the genre, with expert commentary and insight. Kicking off the series, renowned conductor and presenter Graham Abbott led an in-person and online audience through Stravinsky’s fairytale-esque The Firebird. Next, audiences were invited to continue their orchestral journey with MSO cellist and Manager of Learning and Engagement, Nicholas Bochner, leading a deconstruction of one of the greatest symphonic works of all time: Dvořák's Symphony No.9 From the New World. Finally, a guided tour of Beethoven’s resounding Fifth Symphony, was presented by Nicholas and led by Cybec Assistant Conductor, Carlo Antonioli.

Ears Wide Open is proudly presented by TarraWarra Estate and is supported by City of Melbourne, with support for live digital streaming from Crown Resorts Foundation, and the Packer Family Foundation.

Music and Ideas

The MSO’s public events program, Music and Ideas, enabled audiences to hear and learn from world class artists, producers and composers who work both on-stage and behind the scenes at the MSO. Featuring open rehearsals and participatory events, Music and Ideas, encourages the contemplation and exploration of how the MSO (and the role of the arts more broadly) can reflect, influence and shape society both in the past, present and for the future. Covering a range of accessibly priced ticketed in-venue and free live online events, with specific points of interest to appeal to each member of the MSO community, types of activities included panel discussions focusing on broader societal issues and observances, conversations with high-profile artists, masterclasses for students, and open rehearsals.

In 2022, events included Superwomen of the MSO and Women in Music as part of International Women’s Day celebrations, Introducing Spinifex Gum as part of the MSO’s NAIDOC Week collaboration with Spinifex Gum, and In Conversation with Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Jaime Martín taking place alongside the MSO’s Mid-Season Gala. Three masterclasses were also programmed featuring Kang Wang (tenor), Daniel Müller-Schott (cello), and Emily Sun (violin). Additionally, the MSO was pleased to present four open rehearsals in 2022 with conductors Xian Zhang, Vasily Petrenko, Nodoka Okisawa, and the MSO’s very own Chief Conductor, Jaime Martín. Music and Ideas is supported by City of Melbourne, with support for live digital streaming from Crown Resorts Foundation, and the Packer Family Foundation.

Melbourne Music Summit

Forming part of the MSO’s wider Learning and Engagement strategy and reflecting the organisation’s commitment to being a Champion of Music Education, the 2022 Melbourne Music Summit once again empowered teachers to advocate for and understand the benefits of music-making, learning and appreciation within the classroom. The four-day event took place in an after-hours and hybrid (in-person and online) format from 18 to 21 July and attracted more than 320 registrations from teachers in both metropolitan and regional areas.

The 11 tailored seminars, workshops, and lectures featured a diverse range of highly regarded music education presenters and facilitators and included additional downloadable resources, lesson plans and videos for participants to further support their classroom activities.

The MSO was delighted to receive a digital welcome message from the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Education, to open the event. The opening session ‘The Future of Music Education’ by MSO Creative Chair for Learning and Engagement, Dr Anita Collins, was a highlight of the Summit, drawing from Dr Collins’ expertise as an educator, researcher, and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. Internationally recognised for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists for parents, teachers and students, Dr Collins brought a wealth of experience as an active educator to this complex topic.

The Melbourne Music Summit was supported by The Erica Foundation and the Department of Education and Training, Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program.

“I genuinely look forward to the Melbourne Music Summit every single year. I am so thankful for it, and the rich experiences it has inspired for me and my Kinders. Thank you so much for the time, energy, and thought you have put in to making this happen for us.”

– Rachael van Dijk, Teacher

“This is the third online Summit I've attended. As a rural teacher/Music Coordinator, the online, out-of-hours times was perfect me. Thank you so much for running these sessions.”

– Anonymous Teacher