sydney youth orchestras
2018
welcome
Welcome to Sydney Youth Orchestras 2018 Program. I have been a member of The Sydney Youth Orchestra since 2014, and have held the position of Principal Violist since December 2014. Since then I have gained many opportunities with Sydney Youth Orchestras, such as traveling on our International Tour in 2017 and receiving a special invitation to participate in the Copenhagen Project, in collaboration with the Danish Youth Ensemble (DUEN). Being a part of SYO has equipped me with the skills and experience to be selected for several seasons with the Australian Youth Orchestra, and to take part in their Professional Development Programs which are offered to a select few musicians each year. I am proud to be a member of an organisation so committed to providing world-class musical education and experiences for young musicians in New South Wales. For young musicians, there is no greater opportunity than being a part of SYO. SYO is a community which nurtures young talent to learn, develop and become not just better musicians, but better people.
SYO has the power to change lives Richard Gill OAM _ 2
On behalf of SYO’s musicians, thank you for your support and we look forward to performing for you this year. Sergio Insuasti Principal Violist
syo by numbers
550+
800+
125 hours
12
SYO musicians represent
50+
musicians
of training per musician
auditions
orchestras
performances over 200+ communities 250+ and 300+ attending SYO schools Summer School
I doubt I would be where I am today if it were not for The Sydney Youth Orchestra Richard Tognetti AO Artistic Director, ACO
_ 3
strategic plan and training program our vision
SYO is a place where, through music, talented young instrumentalists come together to grow, to learn and to contribute to Australia’s cultural landscape.
our mission
to educate and nurture young people to achieve musical excellence through a structured program of orchestral training and performance.
The SYO Strategic Plan focuses on four key values which will continue to deliver quality opportunities for this vibrant company. The SYO strategic goals are:
excellence
nurturing artistic talent and delivering great education
professionalism
continually improving our business systems to best-practice contemporary standards _ 4
engagement
creating a consistent, reliable experience for all contact with SYO
opportunity
being entrepreneurial and planning for increased revenue and business growth
season 2018
professional
concert performances in Sydney’s foremost venues
open programs
intensive overnight & daytime
Summer School & school holiday learning programs
music camps for all members
weekly orchestral training by highly skilled music educators & experienced conductors
sectionals & tutorials
touring
Regional NSW, interstate & internationally
with members of the SSO, AOBO, ACO for all members
masterclasses with visiting guest musicians from interstate & abroad
Sydney Youth Orchestras is the leading orchestral training and education provider in New South Wales, forging dynamic relationships between young musicians and Australia’s leading music educators, conductors, and performers. For 45 years, SYO has been an engine room of excellence and produced some of Australia’s finest musicians, educators and lovers of classical music. Currently comprising 12 orchestras and ensembles, SYO provides a weekly orchestral training program for over 500 musicians aged 6 – 25 years.
Connecting all ensembles is the SYO Orchestral Training Framework, a comprehensive system ensuring that musicians progress through the orchestras, developing individual and ensemble skills under the careful guidance of SYO’s artistic staff. Beyond equipping our members for careers as professional musicians, our program teaches teamwork, discipline, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. Whatever career path these talented young people follow, they are likely to become leaders in, and contributors to their community. _ 5
our ensembles and orchestras
symphonic orchestral program
the sydney youth orchestra
syo philharmonic
symphonic wind orchestra
peter seymour orchestra
western sydney youth orchestra
orchestral fundamentals program
stage 1 syo strings
_ 6
stage 2 syo strings
stage 3 syo strings
new in 2018 stage 4 sinfonia
season 2018
symphonic orchestral program
orchestral fundamentals program
the sydney youth orchestra The Sydney Youth Orchestra is where Sydney’s most talented young musicians - those who aspire to the highest level of orchestral performance and a future as an orchestral musician - are to be found.
stage 4 sinfonia Stage Four is the springboard to the Symphonic Orchestral Program. Musicians explore core repertoire from the Baroque to late Romantic periods, requiring a mature understanding of orchestral playing and strong technical skills.
syo philharmonic Conducted by celebrated Australian musician, composer and educator Brian Buggy OAM, SYOP welcomes a full symphony orchestra to tackle sweeping orchestral works. symphonic wind orchestra Under the baton of respected music educator James Pensini, SWO covers a diverse range of repertoire from film scores and jazz standards through to core orchestral repertoire. peter seymour orchestra Under the leadership of John Ockwell, musicians in PSO will have the opportunity to learn the foundations of orchestral training and the canon of Classical period repertoire. western sydney youth orchestra Led by esteemed music educator James Pensini, musicians in WSYO focus on orchestral training essentials featuring a dynamic and varied repertoire.  
stage 3 strings Stage Three offers intermediate players the chance to further develop their ensemble playing while extending their technical and aural skills. stage 2 strings Students in Stage Two are introduced to increasingly complex orchestral concepts and refine the skills required to effectively and confidently sight read, progressively master challenging rhythms, and interpret musical markings with deeper stylistic understanding. stage 1 strings Stage One is where many young players gain their first ensemble experience.Young musicians are introduced to playing in an instrumental section, and learn vital ensemble skills.
syo theory program Students are educated in the principles of musicianship as it relates to the instrumental ensemble work they undertake in rehearsals. _ 7
the syo concert series Sunday 22 April, 2pm Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music SYO Philharmonic conducted by Brian Buggy OAM RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Russian Easter Festival Overture The Sydney Youth Orchestra conducted by Alexander Briger AO MAHLER Symphony No. 10 STRAVINSKY Firebird Suite
mahler symphony no. 10, adagio & stravinsky firebird suite
Heroes of 20th century orchestral modernism, Mahler and Stravinsky sit side by side in this energetic and challenging program. Together their contrasting works make for a dazzling, evocative musical experience. Unfinished at his death, the first movement of Mahler’s final symphony is considered the only performable movement of this rarely-heard work. Written in 1910, this work reflects the composer’s inner turmoil at the end of his life. It exists in several versions, but this concert features the work as Mahler left it. The Firebird was Igor Stravinsky’s first large-scale work for orchestra. The work clearly shows Stravinsky on the cusp of a new world, mixing his orchestral mastery with the rhythmic vitality of a musical revolution about to burst out of his shell. for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
_ 8
Sweeping and dramatic, contemplative and painful, this grand masterpiece of the orchestral repertoire is an immersive experience for performers and audiences alike. With a sonority referencing Wagner and a structure referencing Beethoven, this symphony is considered by many to be Bruckner’s crowning achievement. At the time of its premiere in 1892, composer and music critic Hugo Wolf wrote in the fashionable Wiener Salonblatt that this symphony was “the creation of a giant, surpassing in spiritual dimension and magnitude all the other symphonies of the master.”
season 2018
bruckner symphony no. 8
Saturday 11 August, 7pm Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music The Sydney Youth Orchestra conducted by Alexander Briger AO BRUCKNER Symphony No. 8
for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
_ 9
the syo concert series
bernstein candide
Saturday 29 September, 8pm Sunday 30 September, 1pm Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House The Sydney Youth Orchestra featuring Festival Chorus conducted by Brett Weymark BERNSTEIN Candide
From its rollicking overture to its dramatic close, Candide is a delight from start to finish. With hints of Gilbert and Sullivan, of tango, and of Broadway glitz, this joyously varied work will keep you entertained – and it might just make you think. While the overture and showpieces like the bravura ‘Glitter and Be Gay’ have become concert-hall fixtures, the complete Candide is rarely mounted. In celebration of Bernstein’s centenary, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs presents a semi-staged production of this witty and moving show, directed by Australian music-theatre power-house Mitchell Butel, in collaboration with Pacific Opera and Sydney Youth Orchestra. If there’s one thing that drives Bernstein’s work, it’s the belief that, while we might be ‘neither pure, nor wise, nor good, we’ll do the best we know.’ for tickets sydneyphilharmonia.com.au | 02 8274 6200
_ 10
Richard Strauss, the firebrand composer who revolutionised the technical and expressive possibilities of the orchestra is celebrated in this finale. Don Juan, among the best loved of Strauss’s tone poems opens the concert. Strauss wrote Four Last Songs at the end of his life following the Second World War, and they are regarded as some of the most devastatingly moving music he ever composed. Rounding out this musical feast are excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier, which showcase the composer’s passion for the female voice, and features exquisite duets and trios sung by leading soloists.
season 2018
celebrating strauss
Saturday 8 December, 7pm Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music The Sydney Youth Orchestra conducted by Alexander Briger AO featuring Cheryl Barker, Alexandra Flood, and Caroline Meng STRAUSS Don Juan STRAUSS Four Last Songs STRAUSS Excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier
for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
_ 11
Photo: Nicolas Zonvi
syo special projects
daniel hope & the zurich chamber orchestra
Sunday 9 September 2018, 2pm Sydney Opera House ELGAR Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47 featuring students of The Sydney Youth Orchestra BECHARA EL-KHOURY Unfinished Journey for Violin and String Orchestra MENDELSSOHN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor VIVALDI The Four Seasons
_ 12
From 7-9 September 2018, the very best senior string students from The Sydney Youth Orchestra will be selected to work exclusively with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and violin virtuoso Daniel Hope over 3 days at Sydney Opera House. Following this intensive masterclass program, four SYO young musicians will perform on the Concert Hall stage with ZCO as the quartet soloists in Edward Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings. for tickets sydneyoperahouse.com | 02 9250 7777
Monday 9 - Friday 13 April ANAM Musicians Australian Brass Quintet
season 2018
australian national academy of music (anam) partnership
LEDGER 2 Fanfares for Brass TAKEMITSU Day Signal, Night Signal MUSSORGSKY (arr. Howarth) Pictures at an Exhibition
Photo: Oliver Brighton
Saturday 21 - Friday 27 April ANAM Orchestra Conducted by José Luis Gomez
SYO and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) commence an exciting new partnership in 2018 providing an exceptional opportunity for Sydney’s best young orchestral musicians. Open exclusively to musicians in The Sydney Youth Orchestra, SYO musicians will be selected to participate alongside ANAM’s musicians in one of four Melbourne performance residencies in 2018. find out more anam.com.au | 03 9645 7911
GINASTERA Variaciones Concertantes op.23 BERNSTEIN Divertimento for Orchestra COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man BARBER Adagio for Strings BERNSTEIN Overture and Suite for Orchestra from Candide Tuesday 14 – Sunday 19 August ANAM Orchestra Conducted by Simone Young RIHM Ernster Gesang R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen BRAHMS Symphony no. 3 in F major op. 90 Saturday 3 - Friday 9 November ANAM Orchestra Conducted by Brett Dean MEALE Clouds Now and Then B. DEAN From Melodious Lay (A Hamlet Refraction) ILLEAN Land’s End LENTZ Jerusalem (after Blake) _ 13
syo philharmonic concert series
european winter Friday 22 June, 7pm Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, 700 Harris St Ultimo RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36 RAVEL Bolero SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
Brian Buggy OAM once again brings the music of Europe to life with SYO Philharmonic. Travel from Orthodox Russian cathedrals to the fight for an independent Finland, to the Paris Opera. Including all the great melodies from your favourite composers, this concert will showcase the talent of one of Australia’s best youth orchestras. for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
syo philharmonic mosman concert series
Photo: Ben Ling
Sunday 26 August, 2.30pm Blessed Sacrament Church, 62 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman
_ 14
SYO Philharmonic will be returning to the Mosman Concert Series to perform in the beautiful Blessed Sacrament Church. They will perform a broad range of orchestral works to be enjoyed by all members of the family. tickets available at the door only Adults $30 | Seniors $25 | Children Free
Photo: Erik Sawaya
season 2018
together live 2018
Back by popular demand following the acclaimed premiere last year, Together Live is one of the most exciting events in the SYO calendar. Witness the beauty of classical and contemporary ballet as the SYO Philharmonic performs in perfect harmony with the artists of the Sydney City Youth Ballet (Artistic Director Lucinda Dunn OAM). Share this memorable performance with family and friends where the full orchestra can be viewed on stage alongside the ballet company demonstrating the intricate beauty of dance with live classical music. This large-scale concert featuring favourites from the ballet repertoire is a must for dance and music lovers alike.
Thursday 13 September The Concourse, Chatswood Friday 14 September The Concourse, Chatswood Saturday 15 September The Joan Sutherland Theatre, Penrith Sunday 16 September The Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422 theconcourse.com.au | 02 8075 8111 thejoan.com.au | 02 4723 7600 gosford.nsw.gov.au | 02 4323 3233 _ 15
symphonic orchestral program concert series
symphonic wind orchestra mosman concert series Sunday 28 October, 2.30pm Blessed Sacrament Church, 62 Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman Symphonic Wind Orchestra Conducted by James Pensini
Mosman Concert Series presents a concert for all ages with the Symphonic Wind Orchestra. Bring the whole family and enjoy contemporary works and classics on a Sunday afternoon. tickets available at the door only Adults $30 | Seniors $25 | Children Free
classical discovery Saturday 10 November, 2pm Balmain Town Hall
Photo: Michelle Chanique
Peter Seymour Orchestra Conducted by John Ockwell
_ 16
The Peter Seymour Orchestra, under the direction of leading music educator and conductor John Ockwell, performs works from the canon of Classical period repertoire. for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
autumn symphonic orchestral showcase
seasonal showcase concets
Join us as our students showcase the new skills they have learned each term. These concerts are the perfect opportunity to come and see what SYO is all about.
Sunday 18 March, 2pm Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
for tickets riversideparramatta.com.au 02 8839 3399
autumn orchestral fundamentals showcase Saturday 24 March, 11am Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
winter showcase Saturday 23 June, 10am, 12.30 & 3pm Monte Sant’Angelo, North Sydney
spring orchestral fundamentals showcase Saturday 8 September, 10am, 12.30 & 2.30pm Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
summer showcase
Photo: Anthony Browell
Saturday 8 December, 10am, 12.30 & 3pm Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422 Adult $15 | Concession $10 Children $10 (under 2 free)Â _ 17
18
_
meet the orchestra
season 2018
Photo: Daniel Boud
The conductor started with a tap-tap-tap and the strings began to sing la-la-la. Then the flutes joined in with a tootle toot too and the sound of the drums shook the room with a boom-boom-boom!
Peter Seymour Orchestra Sunday 13 May 9.30 & 11am Mosman Art Gallery Peter Seymour Orchestra Sunday 19 August 9.30am, 10.30am & 11.30am Leichhardt Town Hall Western Sydney Youth Orchestra Saturday 1 September 9.30am, 10. 30am & 11.30am Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub
These unique performances are designed to ignite interest in music and instruments for children ages 2-8. Our conductor and players lead children through each section of the orchestra and give hands on demonstrations of how each instrument creates sound. These concerts have been composed with the classical music young children love. for tickets syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422 bluemountainstheatreandhub.com.au | 02 4723 5050 Adult $25 | Concession $15 Children $15 (under 2 free) _ 19
syo across nsw
SYO is committed to increasing participation and engagement in orchestral music across New South Wales. SYO now offers regional musicians through SYO STATE: - Flexible orchestra membership - Discounts on participation fees - Scholarships for SYO Summer School - Workshops in our regional hubs (Central West, South Coast and North West) - Intensive playing experiences with SYO conductors and musicians SYO tours each of our five senior orchestras to regional centres each year presenting low cost, high quality classical music concerts for regional communities and schools. _ 20
season 2018
central west
north west
Gunnedah Tamworth Singleton
Dubbo Condobolin
Forbes
Orange
Castle Hill
Parramatta Campbelltown
western sydney
Newcastle
Lithgow
Nowra
Sydney CBD Wollongong
sydney
Bermagui Bega
south east
south east
central west
north west
APRIL The Sydney Youth Orchestra Friday 7 April WORKSHOP: Bega
MAY Saturday May 19 WORKSHOP: Dubbo
JULY Sunday 8 - Saturday 14 July WINTER INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL CAMP: Tamworth
Sunday 8 April, 2pm CONCERT: Four Winds Sound Shell, Bermagui SEPTEMBER Peter Seymour Orchestra WORKSHOP: Bega CONCERT: Bermagui
JUNE Western Sydney Youth Orchestra & Symphonic Wind Orchestra Friday 1 June CONCERT: Forbes CONCERT: Gilgandra
SEPTEMBER SYO Philharmonic Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 September CONCERT: Gosford
Saturday 2 June WORKSHOP: Dubbo CONCERT: Dubbo Sunday 3 June CONCERT: Mudgee CONCERT: Orange _ 21
22
_
save the date
live at level 28
season 2018
Photo: Ben Ling
We hope you will join us to support Sydney Youth Orchestras and enjoy this unique mid-winter event.
Thursday 7 June 2018, 6.30pm Level 28 Deutsche Bank Place, 126 Phillip St, Sydney
Live at Level 28 is your opportunity to experience an evening of unique musical performances, matched with a private Australian art collection and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, all while enjoying premium Australian wines and mouth-watering food. Live at Level 28 is SYO’s annual fundraising gala event. All contributions and pledges at this event will help SYO to deliver our music education programs, creating educational opportunities and pathways for young musicians from Sydney and regional NSW. tickets on sale 2 april syo.com.au | 02 9251 2422
_ 23
support the sound of the future Donations can be made online syo.com.au/giving phone 02 9251 2422 via cheque made payable to Sydney Youth Orchestras Inc. If your company would like to support one of our initiatives, please get in touch
_
These partnerships are key to: Providing greater opportunity for young people who are experiencing geographical or financial disadvantage to access our programs.
- Opportunity scholarships - Western Sydney Youth Orchestra - Regional scholarships - SYO State
Supporting the development of our Orchestral Training Framework and connect our musicians to leading music educators, conductors and performers.
-
Conductor Fellowship International Tour International Masterclasses Digital Education
Underpinning our company by providing professional services and goods which directly benefit our fundraising and business activities.
How can you help young musicians? Buy a ticket and attend one of our concerts
phone 02 9251 2422 email info@syo.com.au
Purchase a piece of music for the SYO music library
Sydney Youth Orchestras is a not-forprofit, tax deductible gift recipient and a registered charity with the Australian Charities Commission.
Attend one of the SYO fundraising events held throughout the year
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
24
With less than 10% of our funding coming from government and 35% from our participation fees, SYO could not continue to nurture and develop young musicians without the generosity of individual donors, foundations and our corporate partners.
Encourage the young people in your life to listen to orchestral music
our supporters
government partners
Create NSW Arts, Screen & Culture
digital education partner
corporate music partners
international tour partner
event partner
syo state partners
Greatorex Foundation western sydney youth orchestra partners
supporting partners
_ 25
how to buy tickets
To purchase tickets for our concerts, visit syo.com.au or call 02 9251 2422, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
the sydney youth orchestra concert series syo philharmonic concerts Adult $50 | Concession $25 Children $25 (under 2 free) | SYO Musician $15
meet the orchestra concerts
Adult $25 | Concession $15 Children $15 (under 2 free) | SYO Musician $15
syo seasonal showcase concerts
Adult $15 | Concession $10 | Children $10 (under 2 free)
syo musician tickets
Every member of SYO can redeem one $15 ticket by using the code on their SYO Musician Card. These can be redeemed at all SYO presented concerts (excluding SYO Seasonal Showcase Concerts). For concerts not presented by SYO, any special offers will be emailed to members as soon as they are confirmed.
access
If you would like to book a wheelchair or disabled access space, please call us on 9251 2422 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or email info@syo.com.au See Terms & Conditions online at syo.com.au _ 26
key dates 2019 auditions 2019
Applications Open Wednesday 1 August 2018 artistic staff symphonic orchestral program Alexander Briger AO Chief Conductor Brian Buggy OAM SYO Philharmonic James Pensini Symphonic Wind Orchestra & Western Sydney Youth Orchestra John Ockwell Peter Seymour Orchestra orchestral fundamentals program Brian Buggy OAM Heloise Meisel Rachel Pogson Joanne Waples Peter Corkill Kathryn Crossing Irina Andreeva
syo staff Mia Patoulios General Manager Susan Hart Finance Manager Daniel Placido Executive Administrator Alexandria Siegers Marketing and Digital Coordinator
Marita Cranwell Events Coordinator
Applications Close Friday 28 September 2018
Isabella Mazzarolo Business Development Coordinator
audition seminar
Casey Green Orchestras and Operations Manager Katie Garman Operations Coordinator, Senior Orchestras Angus Davison Operations Coordinator, Orchestral Fundamentals Program
Saturday 22 September Santa Sabina College
summer school 2019 7-11 January
To register your interest for our 2019 program please complete an expression of interest form at syo.com.au
board Jan Bowen AM Chair Anthony Bell Deputy Chair Geraldine Doogue AO Jon North Pieter Oomens Malcolm Long AM Greg Levy Tim Downing Ursula Armstrong Wallis Cook-Graham
our patron His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of NSW
I still remember the butterflies when opening the letter that said my audition for the SYO was successful. Emma Sholl Associate Principal Flute, SSO
_ 27
support the sound of the future
syo.com.au/giving | 02 9251 2422 to donate
SydneyYouthOrchestras SYOrchestras SYOrchestras
182 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000 ABN 63 886 284 698 | Design THREEFOURLEFT