Queensland Youth Orchestras will celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2026 with a free day of music and entertainment at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills on Saturday, June 6.
Each year QYO trains more than 500 of the state’s best young orchestral musicians aged eight to 25 years.
Visitors to The Old Museum, which has been home to QYO for almost 40 years, will be able to experience the rehearsal rooms of eight different orchestras, including the Junior String Ensembles, Wind Symphony, Big Band, and Queensland Youth Symphony.
Pop-up chamber groups will perform in the garden, and a range of children’s activities and food options will be available.
For families with children, The Old Museum’s Concert Hall will host performances of Peter and the Wolf, and The Carnival of the Animals.
QYO’s renowned alumni include violinists Ray Chen, Brett Yang and Eddy Chen (best known on YouTube as TwoSetViolin), as well as world-renowned cellist Li-Wei Qin and conductor Simon Hewett – now QYO’s Artistic Director.
Mr Hewett said the QYO was where his love of orchestral music was first ignited.
“Having the opportunity to share the stage with contemporaries who loved it as much as I did was priceless,” Mr Hewett said in a statement.
“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.”
Some performances require registration and there is a fee for admission to the evening’s Alumni Concert. For more details, click here.
