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The Australian Youth Orchestra, acclaimed conductor Christoph Eschenbach and guest soloist, the formidable virtuoso Joshua Bell are set to tour Australia, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland. This tour sees a continuation in the important role the AYO plays as a cultural ambassador for Australian musical excellence.

This highly anticipated tour debuts in August with exclusive concerts at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall, Melbourne. Followed by performances at prestigious European summer festivals and venues including the Konzerthaus in Berlin and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

“I have wonderful memories of touring once before with the Australian Youth Orchestra. Wonderful young musicians perfectly prepared.”Christoph Eschenbach

The tour marks the orchestra’s seventh visit to Europe in its 65-year history and reinforces the AYO as the preeminent orchestra and training ground for young pre-professional musicians.

“We are very much looking forward to sharing the artistry and talents of our outstanding

young musicians with a new international audience. The AYO has long been a cultural ambassador for Australia and we look forward to continuing this tradition of creating ties around the world and displaying the high caliber of talent we hold,” said Mr Colin Cornish, CEO of the Australian Youth Orchestra.

“We are especially delighted that the AYO will be joined on tour by the incomparable violinist Joshua Bell”, said Mr Cornish.

“The AYO is extremely appreciative of the support received for this international tour. We acknowledge our Principal Sponsor Accenture and the Federal Government, who have all helped make this tour possible,” added Mr Cornish.

Minister for the Arts Simon Crean, announced the tour at the Sydney Opera House in 2012. “The Australian Government is a proud and longstanding supporter of the Australian Youth Orchestra,” Mr Crean said. “As an elite arts training ground, the AYO provides young musicians with the opportunity to grow into the cultural leaders of tomorrow. The 2013 International Tour will again demonstrate Australia’s position as a creative and productive nation to the world.”

Tour Repertoire / Sculthorpe Earth Cry Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade Stravinsky The Rite of SpringWhere & When / Sydney Opera House 3 August

Hamer Hall, Melbourne 5 August

Austria 10 August

Germany 9, 11, 15, 16 August

The Netherlands 13 August

Switzerland 17 August

FOLLOWING CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT ITS 2010 TOUR OF CHINA AND EUROPE, THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL EMBARK ON ITS 21ST INTERNATIONAL TOUR IN 2013. THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM UNDER THE BATON OF CELEBRATED CONDUCTOR CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH AND ALONGSIDE GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING VIOLINIST JOSHUA BELL.

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The tradition is set to continue when AYO National Music Camp transforms the lives of over 250 aspiring young musicians as they undertake a rigorous pursuit to create memorable performances of superb orchestral music.

The highly popular AYO National Music Camp will begin on 6 January at Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide. A series of free public performances will be held at the end of each week displaying the incredible knowledge and skill gained during this intense period of learning.

“We will hear some great music for the first time. Music we know already will become new.”Elizabeth Wallfisch / Music Director 2013

The program is specially designed to encompass all aspects of the preparation and rehearsal of full-scale symphonic or chamber orchestra repertoire with inspirational direction from renowned conductors, Bruno Weil, Elizabeth Wallfisch and Fabian Russell, as well as specialised guidance from leading educators.

AYO National Music Camp is widely recognised as a critical step in the musical and professional development of the nation’s next generation of classical musicians. It reflects the AYO’s vibrant, adventurous and inspirational spirit and invites audiences to discover what music means to these young musicians through these lively performances.

Each year the AYO presents ten tailored training programs for aspiring musicians, composers, arts administrators and music journalists. The training pathway and inspired programming has been created to stimulate minds and nurture the musical development of our finest emerging talents across metropolitan and regional Australia.

THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING MUSIC EDUCATION OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM IS AYO NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP. IN 2013, UNDER THE DIRECTORSHIP OF ELIZABETH WALLFISCH, THE BEST YOUNG PLAYERS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA WILL COME TOGETHER IN ADELAIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN TAILORED TUTORIALS AND UNFORGETTABLE CONCERTS PRESENTED BY MUSICAL LEADERS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING.

Public Concerts / 12, 16, 17, 18, 19 January

Where / Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, SA

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AYO CHAMBER PLAYERS IS ONE OF THE NATION’S PREMIER PROGRAMS FOR MUSICIANS SERIOUSLY ENGAGED IN CHAMBER MUSIC. IN 2013 AYO CHAMBER PLAYERS WILL LEARN FROM AND WORK WITH ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST CELLISTS, PIETER WISPELWEY.

The AYO is proud to be welcoming the incomparable Pieter Wispelwey for the first time as Music Director for AYO Chamber Players, leading the musicians in their 2013 Musica Viva Festival performance.

The AYO Chamber Players and Wispelwey will treat Musica Viva Festival audiences to performances of the highest caliber, allowing them to discover the expansive and emotional qualities chamber music offers. Having won a Limelight Award in 2012, the 2013 Musica Viva Festival will be a highlight on the cultural calendar and Wispelwey’s visible passion for music will result in an unforgettable musical experience for both the AYO Chamber Players and audiences alike.

Having been the first cellist ever to receive the Netherlands Music Prize (awarded to the most promising young musician in the Netherlands), Wispelwey recognises the importance of training with inspirational mentors and is keen to nurture the next generation of classical musicians.

Wispelwey’s career spans five continents and he has appeared as soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the

Sydney Symphony, Boston Symphony, Dallas Symphony, St Paul’s Chamber Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, BBC Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony and the Academy of Ancient Music.

Pieter Wispelwey plays a 1760 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini cello and a 1710 Rombouts baroque cello.

When / 4, 5, 6, 7 April

Where / Sydney Conservatorium of Music

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AYO Young Symphonists

Under the expert guidance of Richard Gill, one of Australia’s pre-eminent and passionate conductor-educators, AYO Young Symphonists will be motivated to aspire to new heights while discovering and bringing selected repertoires to life.

Providing an interactive experience, the program focuses on the importance of genuine learning from a young age and caters for orchestral training, music appreciation and performance experience.

Richard Gill will offer these young musicians the inspiration, breadth, depth and rigour needed to wholly experience the joys and challenges an orchestra has to offer.

For the prodigious young musicians who make up the AYO Young Symphonists ensemble, the concert is an integral part of the program; it is a chance to show all they have learned during the intensive eight-day program.

These lively concerts are a proud moment for these young musicians.

“The AYO Young Symphonists program is dynamic, passionate and ultimately satisfying for young musicians. I know the audience will love hearing them play as much as they will love to play.” Richard Gill

AYO Young Symphonists are the youngest group of the AYO and are selectively chosen annually from more than 225 applicants nationwide. With only limited positions, this first step into orchestral music is highly sought after and as a result, incredibly competitive. Selected musicians often continue on with the AYO training path which provides them with the opportunity to perform as part of the Australian Youth Orchestra.

THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY MUSIC EDUCATION WITH AYO YOUNG SYMPHONISTS; AN ELITE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR MUSICIANS AGED 12 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE. MUSIC LOVERS IN ORANGE, REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE CLASSICAL MUSIC STARS OF THE FUTURE PERFORM IN A FREE PUBLIC CONCERT ON SUNDAY 21 APRIL.

When / 21 April

Where / Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange, NSW

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For those AYO musicians with a professional aspiration to chamber music, AYO Regional Residencies offer a unique and invaluable opportunity for a string quartet and wind quintet to live the experience of a touring ensemble.

In 2013 the AYO String Quartet will travel to Central Victoria and the AYO Wind Quintet will travel to regional NSW. In taking part in these Regional Residencies, AYO participants will not only train and perform regularly, but they also take on a leadership role within the host community.

Through this program, aspiring young primary school students from remote communities have the opportunity to learn from AYO musicians through tutorials and rehearsals, concentrating on instrumental technique and ensemble playing. AYO musicians greatly benefit from the chance to mentor and motivate and help others develop a passion for, and engage with, orchestral music.

“We were blown away by their beautiful playing, their professionalism and capability in tutoring our students. The feedback has been very positive: our kids have been inspired and loved performing with the AYO Quartet!”School Teacher, The Little Yarra Steiner School, Yarra Valley, VIC.

The entire community will then be treated to a series of free public performances, allowing them to see what these exceptional young musicians have learnt during this time. In 2011, over 3,000 audience members enjoyed AYO Regional Residency programs with over 500 pupils from local schools attending workshops.

AYO members are drawn from all over Australia - 10% come from regional areas - and these residencies reflect the AYO’s commitment to give back to these communities.

THE AYO RECOGNISES THE VALUE MUSIC OFFERS AND IS DEDICATED TO FOSTERING THE LOVE OF QUALITY MUSIC FROM THE CONCERT HALL TO THE CLASSROOM, FROM THE CITY TO THE OUTBACK. THIS COMMITMENT CONTINUES THROUGH THE AYO REGIONAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM.

AYO Regional Residencies

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AYO Orchestral Career Development

AYO’s acclaimed Orchestral Career Development Program is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Australian musicians with invaluable experience working alongside professional musicians as part of a performing orchestra.

The intensive program – offering String Fellowships and Wind, Brass and Percussion Fellowships -integrates chamber music, mentored orchestral playing and specially designed workshops. It aims to offer a vital stepping stone from study to work and to prepare musicians as thoroughly as possible for a career in music.

The MSO String Fellowship is structured in two stages beginning with an intensive week of one-on-one coaching from an MSO mentor, concerto and excerpt workshops and professional development sessions. These rehearsals culminate in an audition for casual engagement with the MSO. If selected these musicians are invited to partake in Stage Two and will be engaged by the orchestra for up

to three weeks work as a causal musician performing under the close guidance of their mentor.

The TSO Wind, Brass and Percussion Fellowship offers expert coaching from a TSO musician who will guide their understudy through preparation for an audition at the conclusion of the week. In the second week of the Fellowship these young musicians will join with other AYO musicians for the special performance project, TSO & AYO in Concert.

This annual concert project, TSO & AYO in Concert, has become a season highlight in Hobart. In 2013, under the baton of conductor, Mark Wigglesworth, young musicians from the AYO will perform alongside the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and play the exciting, large-scale orchestral works of Britten and Elgar. A performance not to be missed!

THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED AYO ORCHESTRAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS PATHWAYS A YOUNG MUSICIAN CAN TAKE TO A PROFESSIONAL MUSIC CAREER. IN 2013 THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THOSE ON THE CUSP OF A PROFESSIONAL CAREER WITH INSPIRING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN FROM MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND TASMANIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS.

Where & When / TSO & AYO in Concert Hobart, TAS 10 & 11 May

MSO String Fellowships Melbourne, VIC 12 – 20 May

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1949 / John Bishop, Elder Chair of Music, University of Adelaide, Ruth Alexander, music teacher from Kansas, USA and Ronald Maslyn Williams, Senior Producer, Commonwealth Film Unit vow to make a national youth orchestra out of the music camps they had organized over the past two summers

1957 / On Wednesday, 6th March at precisely 3.15pm, the Australian Youth Orchestra makes its first public appearances at David Jones and in the Sydney Town Hall under John Bishop

1958 / The AYO makes its debut in Melbourne, with 15 year old Argentine pianist Daniel Barenhoim as soloist

1959 / Bernard Heinze conducts the AYO for the first time

1960 / The AYO makes its first appearance at the Adelaide Festival of the Arts

1963 / John Hopkins conducts his first concerts with the AYO in Melbourne

1964 / John Bishop dies and Dr Percy Jones becomes National Music Camp Association Chair

1967 / The AYO contributes to the ABC recording which won first prize at the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris, for its performance of Peter Sculthorpe’s Sun Music

Willem van Otterloo conducts the AYO at the ABC Youth Concerts in Melbourne

1970 / The AYO embarks on its first international tour, with appearances at EXPO 70 in Osaka, Japan

The AYO’s Music for Pleasure LP sells 5,000 copies

1972 / The AYO performs at the Adelaide Festival of the Arts and ABC Youth Concerts in Adelaide

1974 / Ruth Alexander retires as National Music Camp Association Secretary; Len Porter becomes the organisation’s first professional administrator; Peter Seymour becomes Chairman

1975 / Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the AYO embarks on its Asian tour to the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong

1976 / The AYO performs at the opening of the Canberra School of Music with soloist Margaret Powell and conductor Robert Pikler

The AYO performs at the famous Interlochen Music Camp as part of its tour of eight US states for the American Bicentennial Celebrations

1979 / The AYO becomes the first Australian orchestra to visit China

1980 / Michael Elwood becomes National Music Camp Association Administrator

1982 / The AYO performs at the Australian Opera’s Gala Concert in Sydney, with soloists including Dame Joan Sutherland and conductor Stuart Challender

1984 / The AYO embarks on its first European tour, filmed as The Ambassadors Symphony, directed by Brian Morris

The AYO is the first Australian orchestra to perform in Paris

1986 / The first joint performance of the Australian Youth Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra, performing Mahler’s 6th Symphony conducted by Ronald Zollman

Richard Mallett commences as National Music Camp Association Administrator

1987 / Peter Seymour OBE, National Music Camp Association Chairman dies

The AYO records the Australia Take a Bow soundtrack

1988 / The AYO performs at a variety of Australian Bicentennial Celebrations, at the World EXPO 88 in Brisbane, at a special Australia Day concert and then tours to Europe, performing again at the BBC Proms in London

The AYO performs at the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra

The AYO records Barry Conyngham’s VAST for ABC Classics

1991 / The Camerata of the AYO is created, fulfilling engagements in North and South America

Sharman Pretty commences as General Manager of National Music Camp Association

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA – 65 YEARS ON

1993 / The organisations name changes from National Music Camp Association to Youth Music Australia

The AYO embarks on its inaugural tour to New Zealand under the direction of conductor Patrick Strub with soloist Duncan Gifford (piano)

Maragaret Greene finishes her six-year term as Chair of the organisation

1994 / The AYO embarks on its "Moving On Music" European tour

1995 / Joanna Parkes commences as General Manager of Youth Music Australia

1996 / The AYO appears at the Cultural Olympiad in Atlanta, USA

1997 / The AYO records the Garden of Earthly Delights CD with conductor Diego Masson

1998 / Tony Grybowski becomes the organisation’s General Manager

The AYO makes its second tour to China

1999 / The organisation loses two key figures with the deaths of Ruth Alexander and Ron Maslyn

2000 / Conductor Robert Spano and Violinist Pinchas Zukerman appear with the AYO at the Olympic Arts Festival in Sydney

The organisation takes the name of its flagship ensemble Australian Youth Orchestra

2001 / The AYO, under the baton of Richard Mills, performs with Yothu Yindi as part of the Centenary of Federation Festival in Melbourne

2002 / The AYO appears in Sydney Symphony’s "Meet the Music" series at the Sydney Opera House

Inaugural year of collaborations with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

2003 / The AYO’s performance of Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder is a highlight of the Perth Festival

Professor Di Yerbury AO retires as Chair of Australian Youth Orchestra after 12 years and is succeeded by Virginia Henderson AM

2005 / The AYO performs Tristan und Isolde at the Queensland Music Festival

The ACO Emerging Artists collaboration begins

Colin Cornish appointed Chief Executive Officer of the AYO and Professor Malcolm Gillies succeeds Virginia Henderson as the organisation’s Chair

2006 / Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon Rod Kemp announces an increase in Federal Government funding to the organisation by $1.9m over four years

The AYO and presenting partner Queensland Music Festival win a Helpmann Award for Best Classical Concert Presentation for the concert performance of Tristan und Isolde

2007 / The AYO celebrates its 50th anniversary year at the UWA Perth International Festival of Arts and with its seventh European Tour

2008 / Over 2008 & 2009 the AYO, presented by the Adelaide Festival Centre, performs six sell-out concerts of the complete Beethoven cycle under the baton of conductor John Nelson

AYO & Musica Viva collaborated for the first Musica Viva Festival

2009 / AYO February performs at Parliament House, Canberra to raise money to purchase musical instruments for schools affected by the Black Saturday Bushfires

2010 / The AYO embarks of its most ambitious international tour yet, crossing Australia, China and Europe with the orchestra appearing at some of the world’s most iconic concert halls including the National Performing Arts Centre in Beijing

2011 / The AYO performs a series of performances at the Sydney Opera House at the heart of which is the world debut of Carl Vine’s Violin Concerto under the baton of Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard

2012 / The AYO performs its February Season with luminary conductor Christopher Hogwood at the Melbourne Recital Centre

The July Season sees the AYO perform with conductor Simone Young and soprano Lisa Gasteen

2013 / The AYO will embark on its 21st international tour to Europe performing under the baton of conductor Christoph Eschenbach with violinist Joshua Bell

In its 65 year history, the orchestra has toured internationally 20 times with the first being to Osaka, Japan for EXPO 70. In 1975 the AYO embarked on its Asian tour to the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. In 1976, the AYO travelled to the USA performing in eight states as part of the US Bicentennial. Three years later, in 1979, the orchestra became the first Australian orchestra to visit China with the tour including performances in Hong Kong, Beijing, Naking, Shanghai and Kwang Chou. A special highlight of this tour was the joint appearance with the Shanghai Symphony. 1984 saw the AYO’s first European tour “The Ambassador’s Symphony” with concerts held in Yugoslavia, France (being the first Australian orchestra to perform in Paris), The Netherlands and the UK. Another international tour followed in 1988, funded by the Australian Bicentennial Foundation, throughout Europe including engagements in Switzerland and Hungary as well as performances at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, London. 1991 saw engagements fulfilled in North and South America, with the highlight being an appearance at Carnegie Hall as part of its centenary season. The following year the orchestra toured the Sydney Choral Festival to Indonesia. In 1993, the orchestra left on its inaugural tour to New Zealand, giving concerts in four cities on the North Island. The same year also saw a tour to Japan. 1994 ushered in another successful European tour directed by the dynamic Russian-born maestro Yakov Kreizberg and in 1995 the orchestra toured France. In 1996, a world tour with concerts in Sydney, Amsterdam, Germany and North America was the AYO’s major undertaking featuring a performance with the Atlanta Youth Symphony at the Cultural Olympiad in Atlanta. 1997 was the Camerata Australia tour to the UK and 1998 saw a return trip to China with concerts conducted in eight major centres. A South Pacific tour in 1999 saw the orchestra perform in New Zealand, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The orchestra embarked on further tours in 2001; the first being to North America with conductor Kirsten Williams and the latter to Europe under the batons of conductors Mikko Franck and current Sydney Symphony Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Vladimir Ashkenazy. 2004 saw a return to Europe, the orchestra’s sixth major European tour which included eight appearances at European summer festivals and at the BBC proms. The 2007 tour to Europe was a major feature of the orchestra’s 50th anniversary season. The 20th International Tour in 2010 was the most ambitious yet, crossing Australia, China and Europe, with the orchestra appearing at some of the world’s most iconic concert halls including the new National Performing Arts Centre in Beijing and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

INTERNATIONAL TOURING HISTORY

AYO 2013 International Tour Soloist Joshua Bell

AYO 2013 International Tour Conductor Christoph Eschenbach

THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA IS PROUD OF IT'S TOURING HISTORY AND IS HONOURED TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AS CULTURAL AMBASSADORS

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Contact UsSydney Level 1, The Arts Exchange10 Hickson RoadMillers Point NSW 2000 Phone 61 2 9252 3855

Melbourne Arts House, Suite 3 204 St Kilda Road Southbank VIC 3006 Phone 61 3 9699 9504

For all PR and press enquiries, please contact: Sally Quinn Publicist Tel: 61 2 9276 2106 Mob: 61 402 998 738 SallyQuinn@ayo.com.au

Sarah Gilchrist Marketing and Communications Manager Tel: 61 2 9276 2102 Mob: 61 400 226 566 SarahGilchrist@ayo.com.au

“In youth orchestras now we take technical brilliance and galloping energy for granted. Yet the AYO revealed qualities much more unusual. A succulent refinement of tone and touch. An adult grasp of emotions and cultural worlds usually thought beyond any teenager, in any hemisphere”THE TIMES, LONDON

Australian Youth Orchestra is grateful to all the many donors and volunteers who contribute so generously to all its programs

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