The Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) train the state’s best young orchestral musicians, aged 8 to 25 years. On Saturday 6 June, the QYO turns 60 and it’s inviting all of Brisbane to come join the party at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills.
The Old Museum has been home to QYO for almost 40 years. On Saturday 6 June, Brisbane music lovers are invited to come along to see and hear where Brisbane’s best orchestral musicians hone their craft. They’ll be welcomed into the rehearsal rooms of eight different orchestras including the Junior String Ensembles, Wind Symphony, Big Band and the Queensland Youth Symphony.
Pop up chamber groups will be performing in the garden and a range of children’s activities and food options will be available. For families, The Old Museum’s Concert Hall is where they can enjoy performances of Peter and the Wolf and The Carnival of the Animals.
Each year, more than 500 young Queenslanders train with the QYO. Throughout its 60-year history, literally thousands of young Queenslanders have taken to the stage with QYO orchestras and ensembles.
The rollcall of successful QYO alumni is staggering. Violinists Ray Chen, as well as Brett Yang and Eddy Chen (best known as TwoSetViolin) are all among the who’s who of QYO past players. World-renowned cellist Li-Wei Qin and conductor Simon Hewett, now QYO’s Artistic Director, also both trained and performed with QYO.
“I owe so much to this organisation,” says Hewett. “It’s the place where my love of orchestral music was first ignited and having the opportunity to share the stage with contemporaries who loved it as much as I did … well, that was priceless.”
Hewett says he was also blessed to have been mentored by QYO’s founder and long-time Director of Music, the late John Curro AM MBE. “Our June celebrations are a chance to honour the greats who shaped this organisation and, equally, to applaud the young and ambitious musicians who continue their legacy today,” says Hewett.
Queensland Youth Orchestras 60-year celebrations take place on Saturday 6 June 2026 at The Old Museum. For more information, including program and bookings, visit: www.qyo.org.au for details.
Image: Queensland Youth Orchestras Artistic Director Simon Hewett – photo by Christopher Pitstock