Queensland Youth Orchestras Council

Training for Young Musicians

Training for Young Musicians

Queensland Youth Orchestra (QYO) seeks support for its newest orchestral ensemble – the Junior String Ensemble 2 for young musicians aged 12 years and above. This Ensemble was created in 2023 to meet the demand in highly skilled young string plays who then progress to the Junior String Ensemble 1 and into the orchestras. Employing ...

GOAL

$8,804

Australia > QLD > Metro and Regional
10/01/2024 > 11/01/2025

Field of Interest

  • Arts and culture
  • Education/training and employment

Target Population

  • Young people (6-25)
Queensland Youth Orchestras Council 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.

Project Summary

Queensland Youth Orchestra (QYO) seeks support for its newest orchestral ensemble – the Junior String Ensemble 2 for young musicians aged 12 years and above. This Ensemble was created in 2023 to meet the demand in highly skilled young string plays who then progress to the Junior String Ensemble 1 and into the orchestras. Employing highly qualified tutors and a conductor for Junior String Ensemble 1 is vitally important. It can be the first experience for many young people of playing in an orchestra, especially if their schools do not offer a strong music program. The current conductor for the Junior String Ensemble 2 is Cherie Deacon, an award-winning viola player and highly accomplished educator.

QYO is an open and accessible organisation. Making sure that every young musician who has the talent to pass an audition can join QYO, regardless of their financial circumstances, has been a defining feature of the organisation. Every effort is made to keep fees affordable. Equally important is the determination to provide the very best musical education by employing outstanding conductors who devise programs that engage, challenge and extend young musicians.

Like many not-for-profit organisations QYO is experiencing rapidly rising costs. Assistance in meeting the core expense of employing the conductor and tutors for Junior String Ensemble 2 will make a material difference to the ability of QYO to keep fees at a reasonable level, increasing the accessibility and diversity of the membership.

Project Outcomes

Countless studies demonstrate that music education has a profound impact on young people’s cognitive, linguistic and emotional development. The positive impacts are not limited to music - playing a musical instrument in ensembles makes kids better at literally everything: by stimulating brain development music making helps kids improve in maths, sciences, languages, social skills and self esteem.

The QYO experience provides young people with emotional connection, which fosters resilience and lifelong wellbeing. Performing music together with others develops confidence, discipline, patience, and humility. This experience transcends musical training and provide lasting benefits to the whole community.

QYO is proud of the high standard of the orchestras and ensembles, but musical excellence is not our goal. It is simply a by-product of the delight and joy young people experience when working with our team of inspiring conductors and educators.

The deep love of music has led many QYO alumni to take up positions major orchestras and academic institutions throughout Australia and internationally. Many other alumni are sharing their passion with the next generation working in vital roles as instrumental and school music teachers.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $47,604
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Memberships (confirmed) $38,800
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $8,804
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Conductor & tutors $18,000
Music Camp $15,000
Concerts $1,000
Venue $2,000
Equipment $3,500
Administration $5,000
Bursaries $3,104

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