Queensland Youth Orchestras Council

Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) is an internationally acclaimed youth orchestra organisation based at The Old Museum in Brisbane. Our 8 orchestras, with over 500 musicians aged from 8 to 25, perform over 50 concerts each year. There are 3 symphony orchestras, 2 wind orchestras, 2 string orchestras and a big band. All QYO orchestras rehearse weekly and receive regular, sectional tutorials. Formed in 1966 by the late John Curro AM MBE, our mission is to inspire and educate a diverse community of young musicians through participation in world class orchestras and ensembles.

QYO ensures annual membership fees are maintained at affordable levels by constantly seeking donations and sponsorship and government grants. QYO organises bursaries to assist musicians from disadvantaged circumstances. QYO operates with a small administrative office staff of 5, and over 80 volunteers who work as orchestral Administrators, Librarians, Stage Managers, Concert and Audition co-ordinators, and other roles.

QYO’s artistic faculty include some of Australia’s most respected music educators and performers. The fact that most tutors and conductors are themselves QYO Alumni is testimony to the first class training that QYO provides, and the powerful community spirit and bond created by the QYO experience.

After the death of his teacher and mentor John Curro AM MBE in late 2019, internationally acclaimed conductor and QYO Alumnus Simon Hewett returned from Europe and commenced as QYO Director of Music in 2021.

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