“Writing our own history down in music” with the RESPECT project
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Has there ever been a more appropriate time to connect with humans? To listen to stories sung and told? To come together […]
2026
EVENTS // The Big Busk 2026 with Melbourne Youth Orchestras
CONTENT COURTESY MELBOURNE YOUTH ORCHESTRAS The streets of the Queen Victoria Market will come alive with the sound of music when Melbourne Youth Orchestras (MYO) […]
EVENTS // Strings and Voices at Hawthorne Arts Centre
CONTENT COURTESY BOROONDARA ARTS This August, as winter settles softly across Melbourne’s inner east, Hawthorn Arts Centre will glow with song, strings, and shared breath […]
How the Tasman Peninsula became a rugged inspiration for Meredith Beardmore’s new solo album
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE A bit over an hour south of Hobart lies the natural, rugged wonder of the Tasman Peninsula. The landscape is at once […]
This Adelaide festival is entirely dedicated to saxophones and clarinets
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE You don’t have to play a woodwind instrument to be part of the Adelaide Clarinet & Saxophone Festival. You only need a […]
David Hirschfelder has reimagined three of his iconic film scores
BY LILY BRYANT If you’re a fan of Australian film, chances are you’ve heard the timeless scores of Oscar-nominated composer David Hirschfelder. With credits like […]
How Foley artists use coconuts, buckets, and veggies to create the sounds of cinema
BY LILY BRYANT Picture a concerto soloist out the front of an orchestra. What image comes to mind? Perhaps they’re wearing a flashy tux, or […]
The Australian World Orchestra will premiere a new song cycle from Jonathan Mills
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE What is the sound of Australia? You will hear it in the notes of Jonathan Mills’ composition Songs for the Stranger, which […]
Be part of the first-ever international tour for AYO Symphonists
BY LILY BRYANT For aspiring Australian classical musicians, it can be easy to feel isolated. By the mere fact of our geography, we’re far away […]
I was co-chair of the AYO Youth Council. This is what drew me to the organisation
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Attend a classical music performance in Australia, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t connected to the Australian Youth Orchestra. […]