QUEENSLAND YOUTH SYMPHONY

Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) is widely recognised as a world-class youth orchestra and is the leading ensemble of Queensland Youth Orchestras. QYS members play the most demanding and exhilarating orchestral repertoire.

QYS received standing ovations during the 2023 European tour, even at Vienna’s fabled Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic.

… this is surely Australia’s best youth orchestra, it is scarcely possible to distinguish this remarkable orchestra from a professional ensemble. Helmut Peters, Hamburger Abendblatt 2023

Conductor Simon Hewett’s international career has taken him to some of the world’s most renowned opera houses and concert halls, and he is already thinking about QYS’ next tour in 2027.

QYS members can audition to perform a concerto in the 2025 QYS Concert Series. First Round applications close on 31 August 2024. 

INFORMATION

  • Conductor: Simon Hewett

  • 100+ member symphony orchestra

  • Professional orchestral repertoire

  • Concerto opportunities

  • Concert series at QPAC, Old Museum Concert Hall

  • International tour every 4 years

  • Rehearsals/tutorials: Saturday 8.30am -1.00pm (some Sunday mornings if required)

ELIGIBILITY

  • AMEB Grade 8 minimum or equivalent, except Flute, Clarinet: AMEB AMusA minimum or equivalent

  • Maximum age 25 years (at 31 December 2025)

  • Primary school students are not eligible for QYS

INSTRUMENTS        

  • Violin 1 (18), Violin 2 (18), Viola (16), Cello (14), Double Bass (12), Flute (2), Piccolo (1), Oboe (2), Cor Anglais (1), Clarinet Bb and A (2), Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (2), Contrabassoon (1), French Horn (5), Trumpet (3), Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1), Tuba (1), Timpani (1), Percussion (3), Harp (1)

String players are offered a position ‘within the section’ and seating orders will be arranged and rotated by the conductor.

QYS CONDUCTOR

Simon Hewett is an internationally renowned conductor and music director who credits his time in QYO has having a formative influence on his career. After completing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Queensland, he finished his studies in conducting at the Hochschule für Musik ‘Franz Liszt’ in Weimar, Germany. He made his debut at the Sydney Opera House in 2003 conducting The Pearl Fishers and has returned many times to conduct Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Otello, Aida, Macbeth, Tosca and Turandot. He was awarded a Green Room Award for Best Conductor of an Opera in 2012 for his interpretation of Salome.

Following his appointment as Kapellmeister and Assistant Music Director to the Hamburg State Opera in 2005, Simon conducted over 500 performances in Hamburg of a large repertoire of opera and ballet. He was appointed Principal Conductor of the Hamburg Ballet in 2008, appearing with them at the Salzburg Festival, the Spoleto Festival, in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Moscow and Australia. He was Principal Conductor of the Stuttgart Opera from 2011 to 2016. He regularly guest conducts at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera and La Scala in Milan. He will make his debut at the Dresden Opera in 2025.

Simon Hewett

 

Listen to QYS In Action.

Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss II

Musikverein, Vienna

QYS 2023 International Tour