BY LEAH BLANKENDAAL AND STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Can you identify with any of the following?
- I’m pretty young (or, young at heart)
- I dig classical music – especially when it’s brought to life in new ways
- I could really go a glass of wine with my Mozart
- I want to know what actually happens in an orchestral rehearsal
- I like to party
If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here at CutCommon, we’ve hooked up with Australia’s major symphony orchestras to bring you the ultimate Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. In 2017, there’s plenty to see and do – from after parties to open rehearsals and more. So with that, we invite you to explore what’s on (and you might like to grab a pen – it’s gonna be a big year).
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra has worked hard in recent times to engage with the 18-30 year old bracket. The orchestra’s #Remastered series is live music, eats and entertainment for the under 30s. An after party to the Masters series, #Remastered offers young people a chance to mingle with and meet young members of the orchestra and the ASO’s collaborators (and CutCommon subscribers can enter to win free double passes to these gigs). The first event for 2017 kicks off on March 31. If a career in the arts is what you’re after, check out the Big Rehearsal and Professional Pathways programs pages for updates on how you can get involved with the ASO on a deeper level.
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Think classical music has to be high brow? The TSO doesn’t. That’s why musicians from the orchestra will bring you live sounds in Hobart’s new outdoor venue, Red Square. Grab a bite from a food truck and sink into a beanbag as you listen to the TSO Live Sessions – the first party kicking off this February 4.
On May 11 in Hobart (May 12 in Launceston), TSO violinists Emma McGrath and Elinor Lea will join for works old and new, as they feature in an evening of music by Vivaldi and Max Richter as part of the Four Seasons concert. Also showcased on violin is the ever-remarkable Karen Gomyo, who visits for Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 on September 1. So if you’re not a Tassie local, you might like to consider a trip to this arts-fuelled island state.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Want to get in on the action of a full-scale orchestral rehearsal? Look no further than MSO’s Open Rehearsals where your school group and teachers can experience the Australian String Quartet on March 30, Beethoven 6 on June 23, or Elgar’s Enigma Variations on July 27, and more. Teachers can use the pre-rehearsal resources to design classroom activities around the in-house experience.
MUSO, the MSO’s flagship program for young music lovers aged 18-35, invites you to ‘get on board with Melbourne’s biggest band’. MUSO members score $30 concert tickets, meet-and-greets with MSO musicians, and invitations to special experiences throughout the year. Free to join.
Full-time students have the opportunity to experience MSO mainstage concerts for reduced prices. Students can create their own events package from across the season, and teachers can book a selection of concerts on behalf of their school. Pick a reserve price, mix-and-match your concerts, and you’re set! Options include MSO and the Australian String Quartet (March 30), Carmina Burana (April 24), Thais: Opera in Concert (August 26), and more. Individuals and groups.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will bring together three leading women in the nation’s singer-songwriter scene for its Kaleidoscope series. It kicks off with performances from classically trained superstar Kate Miller-Heidke from March 24-25; continuing with ARIA-winning, alt-jazz queen Megan Washington on September 22-23, and concluding with vocal powerhouse Katie Noonan this November 2-4.
Another special range of SSO events falls under its Carriageworks partnership, in which Chief Conductor David Robertston and Artist in Residence Brett Dean will curate a series of two programs of music from composers of our generation this August 13 and October 15.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
The QSO will offer an extraordinary opportunity to hear the Australian premiere of a work by one of the world’s most acclaimed living composers. Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 11 will be performed this April 21-22, in an event featuring another exciting debut as Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev plays in Australia for the first time.
A little later on, young violin virtuoso Ray Chen will perform with Paganini’s Violin Concerto No.1, Mvt 1 under the baton of Simone Young, while The Australian Voices directed by Gordon Hamilton will sing in one of our favourites (you know you love it) – The Planets by Holst. July 21-22.
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is growing its commitment to new music. Its composer-in-residence (and recent winner of the Lowin Award for Orchestral Composition) Lachlan Skipworth will have his new work Spiritus debuted on March 10 and 11 in the first Masters concert of the year. This concert will also feature Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by young Russian pianist and composer Daniil Trifonov. Prefer Pottermore to Peter Ilyich? Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, complete with live film score, is also on the program this May 5-6.
Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Fancy a little classical music against one of Australia’s most beautiful backdrops? The Darwin Symphony Orchestra has you covered. Their program launches on February 8, so no official word as to what is going on yet; however CutCommon has been given a sneak peak! We’re particularly excited by the links to the land, which draw upon nearby national parks as inspiration. The DSO have also recently appointed Tasmanian violinist Monica Naselow to the role of Concert Master and Education and Outreach Officer, a position which promises some interesting youth-based content. Keep up to date with the DSO website for program announcements!
Canberra Symphony Orchestra
Canberra’s spectacular National Portrait Gallery is the backdrop for a new collaboration between the visual and the aural. Programmed and compered by composer Matthew Hindson, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra will provide a new music backdrop for three of the gallery’s touring exhibitions from March-August. The best part about this series? The price! Coming in at under $50, it’s a more affordable way to access classical music. In the mood some more traditional fare? Recent ANAM alumnus Harry Bennetts will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto No. 2 on November 5.
