AYO 2011 Preview

Scenes from recent 2010 AYO programs and events:
(Top) Zelwood Quartet, Bridget Graham, Sophie Hudgell, violins, Josie Graham, cello and Nelson Yarwood, viola. (Above left) The AYO String Quartet introduce themselves to some Ballarat Grammar School musicians prior to the start of the string chamber orchestra workshop. (Above right) Left to Right: Claire & Igor Zambelli (AYO Donors), Ben Rimmer (AYO Alumnus & Deputy Secretary, Strategic Policy and Implementation, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), Monica Curro (AYO Board Director).

The AYO’s 2011 calendar offers a rich variety of programs beginning in January with the legendary AYO National Music Camp. Under the expert guidance of Music Director Paul Dean, conductors Dale Barltrop, James Judd and Edwin Outwater plus a host of first class tutors, over 250 musicians will gather in Adelaide to rehearse and perform an array of symphonic and chamber music.

Newcastle Hosts the AYO Chamber Music Camp

“Chamber Music Camp is unlike any other AYO program. To be thrown together with players you’ve never played with before, or even met, is a great challenge. It’s always astounding how well the groups work and the standard of each ensemble after an intensive week together. Unlike other AYO programs, on Chamber Camp you contribute your individual sound as a chamber musician and are challenged to step up and fill your role in a very small ensemble. To be able to work intensively with some of the best professional chamber musicians in the world and to get private concerts each night is an opportunity to jump at! Each year Chamber Camp helps remind me why I am a musician and how much more music there is left to discover.”
- AYO Chamber Music Camp musician, Rebecca Gill, violin

Orchestral Career Development with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

This year seven AYO wind, brass and percussion players participated in the TSO Fellowship program and were mentored by TSO musicians. During the week they received individual coaching, attended professional development sessions and completed a TSO Casual audition. All AYO musicians were successful in their auditions and are now on the TSO casual work list. The following week a further 21 AYO musicians joined the Fellows and the TSO to perform Tchaikovsky s Manfred Symphony, conducted by Oleg Caetani, and Rachmaninov s Piano Concerto No.2 with Alexey Yemtsov. The musicians enjoyed the wonderful Hobart hospitality, gourmet delights and even got to experience snow!

AYO String Quartet travel to Victoria

	(Top Left) The AYO String Quartet in rehearsal with tutor Katharine Brockman, (Top Right) Jason Thomas (left) and Belinda Gehlert (right) take the Ballarat Grammar School violins for a tutorial on Gustav Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, (Bottom) The AYO String Quartet gives a masterclass on Piazzolla’s Libertango to the Ballarat Grammar School Quintet. Belinda Gehlert lends her skills on the 1st violin.

 The AYO String Quartet as part of the Regional Residency Ensemble-in-Residence program ended our 2010 calendar of activities on a high note. Under the expert tuition of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra musicians, Katharine Brockman and Monica Curro, the four musicians took on an intensive month-long schedule of rehearsals, tutorials, concerts and school workshops.

Upcoming Programs

AYO National Music Camp
9 January - 23 January, 2011
Adelaide, SA
AYO National Music Camp offers specialised programs for aspiring musicians, arts administrators, composers and music journalists. In 2011 the AYO National Music Camp Orchestras are joined by internationally acclaimed conductors Dale Barltrop, James Judd and Edwin Outwater and will be under the guidance of music director and clarinettist Paul Dean. Don t miss your chance to come and be inspired by the Music Camp experience and to share in the achievements of these talented young, emerging artists.

Refer to the Concert Diary or ayo.com.au for details regarding the AYO National Music Camp concert series.

Staff News

We would like to thank our Marketing Coordinator Emma Segrave for her hard work and contributions to the AYO in the period she has been with us. Emma will return to the UK in January to be with her family and to be married.

The AYO’s International Tour Fund Events in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane

 The Peter Weiss Cello Scholarship

AYO alumnus Peter Weiss AM participated in the AYO National Music Camps of 1952 and 1953 as a cellist and although he made his career in fashion, his love of the cello has never left him. Peter has established a $5,000 scholarship that enables an outstanding cellist to participate in both seasons of the Australian Youth Orchestra and AYO National Music Camp.

Peter is a notable philanthropist as the Founding President of the Sydney Symphony’s Maestro Circle, an Emerging Artist Patron at the Australian Chamber Orchestra and a Major Donor to the Art Gallery of NSW Foundation. In 1996 Peter became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Arts. 

Peter Weiss AM performing at National Music Camp held at Geelong Grammar School in 1952

The first recipient of the Peter Weiss Cello Scholarship in 2010 was Mee Na Lojewski:

“I am very grateful for the support of the Peter Weiss Cello Scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to be part of several memorable AYO programs in 2010, including the International Tour to China and Europe as Principal Cello. The Tour was an especially exciting culmination of all my years involved with AYO, reinforcing my desire to always strive to play with commitment, passion and enthusiasm for learning - which, for me, is what AYO stands for.”

Hoping to continue to broaden her experiences and develop her musical understanding towards a career in music Mee Na is now studying for a year at the Royal Academy of Music, London, as part of her Master of Music degree at the University of Sydney. As Mee Na explains “my experiences as an AYO musician have really helped provide me with the necessary skills, optimism and open-mindedness to immerse myself in the many challenging, new aspects of life as a music student in London. I have met other students at the Academy who have been members of youth orchestras like AYO: the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, and we all share that appreciation for the vitality and intensity of our youth orchestra experiences.”

The recipient of the 2011 Peter Weiss Cello Scholarship will be announced in January.

Alumni News

 • Congratulations to our new alumni whose time as participants with the AYO ends in 2010: Su-Ying Aw (viola), Jennifer Morrish (percussion), Douglas Rutherford (double bass), Mark Shearn (tuba), Jason Thomas (violin) and Kim Worley (cello). As AYO alumni they join an elite group of some of Australia’s finest musicians and we are extremely proud of their achievements.

• Guests at a recent AYO function in Melbourne were addressed by Ben Rimmer (violin NMC 1990-92, AYO 1993, Camerata 1991, 1993) who is Deputy Secretary, Strategic Policy and Implementation in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Celebrate Australia Day at Government House Queensland’s Open Day

The Governor of Queensland Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO and Mr Stuart McCosker invite you to an Open Day at Government House Queensland to celebrate Australia Day on Wednesday 26 January, 2011.

For more information please visit www.ayo.com.au/mediacentre

Virtuosi Prints - Just in time for Christmas!

Arthur Boyd UNTITLED 1994 Etching printed by Diana Davidson at Whaling Road Studios in an edition of 75, on Velin Arches 300gsm, 56cm x 76cm

Support the Australian Youth Orchestra and purchase a screen print by prominent Australian artist Arthur Boyd for only $500 plus GST. All proceeds go to the AYO International Tour Fund.

Please contact Anna Gauchat, Development Coordinator at AnnaGauchat@ayo.com.au or 02 9276 2104.

Special Offer from Melba Recordings: Buy Two, Get One Free!

Melba’s award winning catalogue includes internationally acclaimed CDs; notably an electrifying live recording of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony by the Australian Youth Orchestra conducted by Alexander Anissimov at the Sydney Opera House.

“Don’t let the fact that there is a youth orchestra here put you off. This is a first-rate performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony ... those who love the piece and also acknowledge the potential for great sound to promote the Tenth’s essential message shouldn’t hesitate to acquire this SACD.”
- Fanfare USA

Visit www.melbarecordings.com.au to order online from Melba Recordings, “Australia’s most distinguished record label” (UK Gramophone)