Do you play double bass or low brass?

We want you!

Applications for AdYO’s 2025 Season have now closed for most instruments, but if you play double bass or low brass (trombone, bass trombone or tuba), we still want to hear from you!

We’re looking for players to join our amazing Sinfonia and Wind Ensemble for a year of great music-making. If that sounds like you, get in touch with us via email and we’ll help you apply.

For more information about audition requirements and ensembles, click on the links below!

Want to discover the joy of playing music with other like-minded young people?
Want to learn from some of the best conductors, tutors and educators in South Australia?
Read all about our auditions and programs below!

18+ on 1 January 2025?

Under 18 on 1 January 2025?

ALL ABOUT ADYO

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 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).
  • Tour days performing at schools across metropolitan Adelaide.

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, Elder Park, Brighton Concert Hall, Partridge House, and many others. 

The Adelaide Youth Orchestras Inc is a not-for-profit organisation. 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. 

2025 AUDITIONS

Audition Requirements

Audition requirements for every ensemble include:

  • Excerpts provided by AdYO
  • An own choice piece, or part of a piece (1-2min in length
  • Sight reading


All players (including current members) will need to audition in-person. Requests for certain times and dates will be taken into consideration, however, may not be able to be fulfilled due to scheduling requirements.

Video auditions can be negotiated if you are unable to make an in-person audition, please email adyo@adyo.com.au to discuss.

Orchestra selection

On the application form, there is a space to choose a preference of orchestra. This is to help us organise auditions and guide you to which set of excerpts you need to learn. Final orchestral placement is purely based on auditions and our artistic team will decide what orchestra they think will be best fit for each applicant (including a lower-level orchestra if you’ve selected a higher orchestra).

Have a read below of the different age and AMEB guidelines for each orchestra. Please have a chat to your teacher about which orchestra may best fit your level and age. If they are unsure based on these requirements, please email adyo@adyo.com.au to discuss further. AdYO may suggest or require a change in preference based on the information you provide if we don’t think it matches the guidelines.

Application Fee

AdYO’s application fee is $55 (transaction fees included). Auditions on multiple instruments or on doubling instruments are no extra cost. 

Audition Dates

  • Wednesday 6 August: Applications open  
  • Sunday 15 September: Applications close 
  • Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 September: Audition times are released 
  • Sunday 20 October & Sunday 27 October: In-person auditions (please note: your allocated audition time/day is based on panel availability) 
  • Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 November: Auditions results sent out 
  • Monday 27 November: Last day for membership acceptance

Audition Results

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their audition by email no later than Wednesday November 7. All audition panel decisions are final, and unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on any audition.

OUR ENSEMBLES

Youth Orchestra

The Youth 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 its 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. 

Percussion Ensemble

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 Youth Orchestra, Extension Orchestra and Symphonic Winds across the year.

Music Director: Sami Butler 
Recommended Standard: Equivalent AMEB Grade 3 – 5
Age: 11 to 24 years
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. 

Symphonic Winds

AdYO’s senior wind ensemble, Symphonic Winds 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 Sinfonia in our 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

Sinfonia

AdYO’s senior string ensemble, the Sinfonia, 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 Symphonic Winds 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. 

Wind Ensemble

AdYO’s younger wind ensemble 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: Jessica Manning 
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 
Instruments: 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. 

Junior Strings

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 OAM
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 2025 rehearsals) 
Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, double bass. 
Rehearsals: Saturdays 11:30am – 2:00pm during school terms at the University of Adelaide. 

Chamber Groups

Players can apply to be part of one of AdYO’s chamber groups. Currently we have two string quartets taken from members from our Youth 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.

 

MORE INFORMATION

Term Dates

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: 8/02/25 – 5/04/2

Term 2: 3/05/25 – 28/06/25

Term 3: 26/07/25 – 20/09/25

Term 4:  18/10/25 – 22/11/25

2025 Fees

Annual membership fees (all orchestras):

Single student: $850.00 
Family: $725.00 per member 

*Fees can be paid in four installments if required. 
*The stated amount is inclusive of transaction fees (such as the credit card processing fee) 

Financial Assistance

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:

  • Payment plans (quarterly).
  • 50% of membership fee covered.
  • Full 100% membership covered.


Criteria for fee coverage (You must answer yes to one of these questions):

  • I live in a regional area. 
  • My family receives financial assistance through Services Australia (Centrelink). 
  • I attend a State Government School. 
  • I am a University Student. 
  • Other (please email our office to discuss).

How to apply for financial assistance:

  • Email adyo@adyo.com.au by the audition date with the following:
  • State how you qualify for financial assistance. Include any documentation (as required).
  • Write a personal statement about how you would benefit from being an AdYO member, including what experience and training you have already undertaken.
  • Provide a letter of support from a community leader: teacher, instrumental teacher, employer, etc. The letter of support should detail why you should receive either 50% or 100% assistance.

For any questions about Financial Assitance eligibility or application process, please contact the AdYO team.