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Want to discover the joy of playing music with other like-minded individuals? Want to learn from some of the best conductors, tutors and educators in South Australia? Select from the menu below to find out more!
Adelaide Youth Orchestras (AdYO) celebrates 23 years of world-class development programs and career pathways for South Australia’s brightest young musicians aged 8-24. AdYO is known for being a leading body in South Australia for igniting and sparking interest for young musicians in orchestral music.
AdYO delivers professional orchestral training in an inclusive and creative environment and is essential to Adelaide’s role as a UNESCO City of Music. Through music, the organisation aims to foster life skills including leadership, discipline and collaboration. When AdYO musicians experience the intensity and delight of performing music together, their lives change forever.
As part of your membership, you will rehearse weekly with your orchestra throughout the school term (2024 dates are included further below for reference). Each orchestra will have performance/concert outcomes throughout the year with a schedule issued at the start of 2024. AdYO concert tickets are not included in your membership, however these are low cost to audiences and livestreamed so your family and friends can come along to see you perform.
Adelaide Youth Orchestra’s annual program includes rehearsals, masterclasses (tutorials), and concerts. Highlights include:
Weekly opportunity to play music to a high standard with other like-minded peers.
Masterclasses (tutorials) and intensive rehearsals with professional musicians and education specialists (including current and former members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Australian String Quartet and the Elder Conservatorium of Music).
Local school performances for members in Youth Strings, Junior Winds, and Wind Orchestra.
In the past, our collaborations have included working with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, South Australian Public Primary Schools (SAPPS) Choir, Woodville High School, Adelaide Wind Orchestra, Artology, Elder Conservatorium of Music, Department for Education and the Jazz SA Superbands. Our ensembles have performed in venues across Adelaide such as, Adelaide Town Hall, Festival Centre, Barossa Arts Centre, Woodville Town Hall, Grainger Studios, Elder Hall, Brighton Concert Hall, Partridge House, and many others.
The Adelaide Youth Orchestras Inc is a not-for-profit organisation and and as a financial member, you are entitled to vote at our AGM (usually held in April/May each year). For those members under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian acts as a representative of the member.
Application fee
AdYO’s application fee is $48 per member (transaction fees included). Auditions on multiple instruments or on doubling instruments are no extra cost.
Audition Requirements
Audition requirements can be found with each orchestra’s description below. Please note all auditions are performed unaccompanied.
In-Person Auditions
NEW PLAYERS or Current players AUDITIONING FOR A NEW ORCHESTRA, will need to audition in-person. In-person auditions will take place at the University of Adelaide on October 21 + 22.
Video Auditions
Current players AUDITIONING FOR THE SAME ORCHESTRA, will need to submit an unedited video audition. If you are not a current player and need to submit a video audition, please email adyo@adyo.com.au to confirm your eligibility before selecting video audition on your profile. A link to upload will be provided when excerpts are sent.
Audition Results
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their audition by email no later than Monday 5 November 2022. All decisions by the audition panel are final and unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on any audition.
Audition Dates
– Monday 7 August 2022: Applications open
– Sunday 10 September 2023: Applications close
– Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 September 2023: Excerpt packs released
– Thursday 19 October 2023: Last day for video auditions submissions
– Saturday 21 October 2023 & Sunday 22 October 2023: In-person auditions (please note: your allocated audition time/day is based on panel availability)
– Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 November 2023: Auditions results sent out
– Monday 27 November 2023: Last day for membership acceptance
The Symphony Orchestra is AdYO’s flagship ensemble, performing professional repertoire in world class venues across Adelaide. This ensemble is perfect for dedicated, senior, players from all instruments and provides an exciting challenge for it’s high level players.
Conductor: Keith Crellin OAM
Recommended standard: Equivalent AMEB Grade 6-8/ Suzuki 7-9 (These are just approximate guidelines and may be lower for certain instruments, please contact us if you’re unsure)
Age: 12 to 24 years
Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, oboe, cor anglais, A & Bb clarinets, bassoon, horn, trumpet, tenor and bass trombone, tuba, harp.
Rehearsals: Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide.
Audition requirements
The Percussion ensemble provides opportunities to excel with other experienced percussionists in a small group setting. These players will also play with our senior groups, the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra across the year. For younger players, we now have the opportunity to play with Junior Winds as a stepping stone into the percussion world.
Music Director: Sami Butler
Recommended Standard: Equivalent AMEB Grade 3 – 5 (Lower for those looking to play with Junior Winds)
Age: 13 to 24 years (Younger players can apply for Junior Winds)
Rehearsals: Saturdays 1:00pm – 2:30pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide. In addition, players will have opportunities to rehearse and perform with other ensembles based on ensemble needs and player availability.
Audition Requirements
AdYO’s senior wind ensemble, Wind Orchestra is the perfect place for experienced wind and brass players. Performing high-level wind band repertoire, this ensemble is great for a wide range of players. New this year, accomplished players in this ensemble will receive the opportunity to play with players of the String Orchestra in our Sinfonia extension orchestra to develop their orchestral playing skills across the year.
Conductor: Kate Mawson
Recommended standard: AMEB Grade 4-7 (These are just approximate guidelines and may be lower for certain instruments, please contact us if you’re unsure)
Age: 12 to 24 years
Instruments: Flute, piccolo, oboe, Bb, Eb and bass clarinets, bassoon, saxophones, horn, trumpet, tenor and bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, double bass.
Rehearsals: Saturday 2:45pm to 5:15pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide.
Audition Requirements
AdYO’s senior string ensemble, the String Orchestra, is the perfect place for experienced high school senior string players. Performing demanding string orchestra repertoire, this ensemble is great for those looking for a challenge and further development. As well as getting expert tuition in ensemble playing, players will also have the opportunity to develop their orchestral playing with players from the Wind Orchestra throughout the year in the Sinfonia extension orchestra.
Conductor: Minas Berberyan
Recommended standard: Grade 4-6 (These are just approximate guidelines and may be lower for certain instruments, please contact us if you’re unsure)
Age: 12 to 20 years
Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp.
Rehearsals: Saturdays 2:15pm – 4:45pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide.
Audition requirements
AdYO’s younger wind ensemble, Junior Winds, is a fantastic training ground for our less-experienced wind, brass and percussionists. With plenty of performing opportunities, this group is fantastic for those starting their AdYO or musical journey! For the first time, we are also accepting percussionists into this ensemble, under the mentorship of our senior percussionists.
Conductor: Sarah Byron
Recommended standard: AMEB Grade 3-5 (These are just approximate guidelines and may be lower for certain instruments, please contact us if you’re unsure)
Age: 9 to 15 years
Looking for: Flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion.
Rehearsals: Saturdays 12:15pm – 2:30pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide.
Audition Requirements
AdYO’s younger string ensemble, Junior Strings is a fantastic training ground for younger string players. With plenty of performing opportunities, this group is fantastic for those starting their AdYO or musical journey!
Conductor: Martin Butler
Recommended: Equivalent AMEB Grade 3 (These are just approximate guidelines and may be lower for certain instruments, please contact us if you’re unsure)
Age: 8 to 13 years (Minimum age at commencement of 2024 rehearsals)
Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, double bass.
Rehearsals: Saturdays 11:30am – 2:00pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide.
Audition Requirements
Players can apply to be part of one of AdYO’s chamber groups. Currently we have 2 string quartets taken from members from our Symphony Orchestra, but the ensembles do change year to year based on interest and organisational capacity. Our Chamber groups play all around Adelaide, receive extra tuition and fantastic performance opportunities.
These ensembles require a high level of commitment, with extra rehearsals each week and extra performances, so please consider your availability before selecting your interest in these on your application form.
Performing in our orchestras and ensembles requires a strong commitment from members and their families across the whole year. Before you apply and consider becoming a member, please think about how your membership will fit in with your other commitments.
Term 1
03/02/24 – 06/04/24
Term 2
4/05/24 – 22/06/24
Term 3
27/07/24 – 21/09/24
Term 4
19/10/24 – 16/11/24
Single student: $820.00
Family: $700.00 per member
*Fees can be paid by four instalments if required.
*The stated amount is inclusive of transaction fees (such as the credit card processing fee)
With the help of our generous supporters, AdYO offers several options for financial assistance to support the development of young musicians, specifically those experiencing financial hardship, and members from regional areas.
Options include:
Criteria for fee coverage (You must answer yes to one of these questions):
How to apply:
Email adyo@adyo.com.au by the audition date with the following:
The Adelaide Youth Orchestras acknowledge the Kaurna People as the traditional owners of the land on which we work, rehearse, gather and perform. We would like to pay our respects to Elders past and present and we thank them for their rich musical traditions that continue to echo to this day.