The Australian Youth Orchestra, one of the world’s most prestigious training centres for young musicians, is inviting instrumentalists from across Australia to apply now for its 2025 programs.
Each year, the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) delivers inventive and tailored training and performance programs for aspiring musicians, composers, arts administrators and music journalists aged 12 to 30.
CEO Kimbali Harding said the AYO training pathway aimed to foster the musical development of young people across metropolitan and regional Australia.
“Whether they are aspiring, gifted, school-aged students or those about to embark on their careers, we encourage those with the right skills to apply to our programs,” she said. “We would particularly like to see more applicants from rural and remote areas of Australia, as well as First Nations people. For this reason, AYO will be waiving the application fee for all First Nations applicants.”
Ms Harding said the AYO had a low student-to-teacher ratio and courses were delivered in purpose-built facilities to ensure the highest possible standard of learning and training. “Our close collaboration with industry also leads to excellent employment outcomes, with many students going on to orchestral and non-orchestral careers such as sound production, orchestral management or composition,” she said.
“Each of our programs targets Australia’s best young musicians at different stages of their creative and professional development. Many participants start as young as 12 and follow the AYO training pathway from start to finish, while others choose individual programs that complement their curriculum.”
“We offer you the opportunity to choose the programs that best suit you and we encourage you to apply to all programs for which you are eligible,” Harding said.
Successful applicants to the AYO are eligible to apply for financial assistance. “We are committed to ensuring that all eligible musicians can participate in our programs, regardless of financial or geographic barriers,” Harding said.
The AYO boasts an extraordinary list of alumni, including ARIA Award winner Nigel Westlake who has a string of film scores to his credit; Brett Yang and Eddy Chen of TwoSet Violin; and Justin Julian, who, at 26, has just won the position of principal viola of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
AYO is part of Arts8, one of eight organisations critical to the successful implementation of the national cultural policy, Revive.
Applications for Australian Youth Orchestra programs are currently open and will close on 31 July 2024. For more information, including applications, visit: www.ayo.com.au for more details.
Picture: Kimbali Harding (provided)