"I began playing in the WA Youth Orchestras Association in 2017 in Sinfonietta. After spending a year in Sinfonietta, Collegium and Philharmonic, I joined the WA Youth Orchestra in 2020. I have learnt so much from all the different ensembles and they have all strongly contributed to my musical journey thus far."
"2023 will mark my tenth year as a member of the WA Youth Orchestras program. I have enjoyed making wonderful music with many different colleagues, conductors, and various ensembles. My journey began in 2014 with the Sinfonietta String Orchestra...
Emma is one of the recipients of a 2023 Peter Moore Scholarship. She writes about her WAYO experience: I have been a part of the WAYO organisation for three years. I initially joined the Philharmonic in 2021, and then moved into the orchestra in 2022. This year I am very excited to be the principal horn of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra. Being a part of WAYO has been fundamental in my development as a young musician...
Erica is one of the recipients of a 2023 Violin Scholarship. She writes about her WAYO experience: My WAYO journey began in 2015 as a member of the Collegium ensemble. Enjoying my first taste of orchestral playing, I decided to continue my journey in Philharmonic from 2017-2018. From 2019 until now I have been apart of the WAYO orchestra and haven't looked back since!
One of our longest-serving, current members takes a moment to look back on her time in WAYO before heading off on an international adventure! Her thirteen-year-long journey with us has taken her across many Western Australian and International stages, culminating in a Perth Concert Hall swan song on Sunday 5 June, 2022. Breanna Fernandes had her start on violin at the age of seven on the Fremantle Town Hall stage, playing such classics as The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky), Hungarian Folksongs (Bartók) [ read more ]
Next month, Joey will join the WA Youth Orchestra on the Perth Concert Hall stage for their upcoming concert, Boléro. As the percussionist, Joey will execute the challenging snare drum part in Ravel’s most famous work. He will also have the exciting experience of participating in the world premiere of Australian composer Georgia Scott’s new work, Into the Deep. We spoke to Joey about this exciting upcoming concert, and his journey to becoming a percussionist and composer.
Like many organisations, WAYO has keenly felt the impact of COVID-19, particularly regarding our 2020 concert season and initiatives. One of our newest and most highly anticipated initiatives, the Carol Day Commission, was put on ice as we navigated our way through a time of unprecedented performance uncertainty. We are thrilled to finally give the 2020 Carol Day Commission its well-deserved premiere this coming September! Composed by Georgia Scott, Into the Deep draws from both mythology and the aesthetic of the sublime, highlighting the ocean’s power to inspire both terror and awe...
Through the support of our generous donors, sponsors and supporters, WA Youth Orchestras is home to a family of high-quality instruments including an outstanding 18th Century Cello and bow valued at approximately $50,000. [ read more ]
Oliver recently travelled to Melbourne, having been invited to the second and final round live auditions for the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He has since been offered a scholarship position in the 2020 ANAM Professional Performance Program in Melbourne, where he will study with David Thomas – Head of Winds ANAM (Principal Clarinet – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra). [ read more ]
1. What inspired you to learn an instrument?
I always loved watching and listening to recordings of others playing instruments, which really inspired me to learn so I could play the music I loved listening to. When I started learning the violin, a big inspiration for me to practice was performing for people. It makes me really happy to be able to perform for people who enjoy my music. A few years after learning the violin, I was interested in learning [ read more ]