Melbourne Youth Orchestras is Victoria’s leading provider of ensemble music education for young people aged 8 to 25 years of age.
Celebrating the orchestral youth of Victoria, Melbourne Youth Orchestras (MYO) is hosting the debut Naarm (Melbourne) edition of The Big Busk, a fundraising event that will be held at Queen Victoria Market on Saturday 20 September. Starting as a fundraiser in Eora (Sydney), The Big Busk’s 2025 edition will be held in two cities for the first time.
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Established in 1967, Melbourne Youth Orchestras fosters a vibrant community of classical and jazz musicians, engaging with over 700 young people in fourteen ensembles, running year-round on weekends, in addition to other esteemed programs. With over 700 students participating in MYO’s Big Busk 2025, the event will feature 14 ensembles across the market’s iconic main stage, while chamber groups, duos and individual performers will fill the air with music at the much-loved busking sites from 8 am – 4 pm. While raising funds for the Melbourne Youth Orchestras and their integral role in inspiring and investing in young musicians, the day offers an accessible experience of their instrumental ensembles, from symphony and string orchestras to jazz and symphonic bands.
Melbourne Youth Orchestra
- Over 700 musicians, 14+ ensembles, across 4 stages
- Symphony orchestras, string orchestras, jazz orchestras, and symphonic bands
- All funds raised to support MYO’s inspirational ensemble music program
With thousands of alumni and students over the past five decades, MYO’s team of dedicated conductors and educators have fostered the early stages of careers for award-winning composer and conductor Nicolas Buc, who has worked with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Nick Cave, Tina Arena, and conducted live film concert premiers including Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Principal Double Bass for Queensland Symphony Orchestra Phoebe Russell, Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the MSO Benjamin Northey, and so many more.
Built on the passion of youth in music, the ensembles bring together students from all across Victoria, catering to all ages and levels to participate in one of the three symphony orchestras, five string orchestras, three symphonic bands, two jazz orchestras, and the ‘Adaptive Music Bridging Program’ supporting children and young people with disability.
Keep up with The Big Busk and Queen Victoria Market here.
