2026 Summer School Showcase
Over the past week, our Summer School musicians have embarked on new adventures in music, forging friendships, mastering challenging repertoire, and discovering the transformative power of playing together. Under the guidance of dedicated conductors who have supported and scaffolded students at every stage of their musical journey, these young artists have grown as individuals and as ensembles.
Saturday’s showcase concerts celebrate the culmination of their hard work, dedication, and joy. From first-time orchestral players to advanced chamber musicians, each ensemble reflects the care and expertise of their conductors, who have nurtured musical growth while fostering confidence and collaboration.
Join us as new friends and old come together to share the music they’ve created this week. These performances are more than concerts, they’re a celebration of what happens when young musicians are given the space, support, and inspiration to thrive.
- Saturday 17th January 2026
- Concert 1 - 10 am & Concert 2 - 1pm
- Sydney Conservatorium of Music - Verbrugghen Hall Sydney NSW, Australia
Concert 1 - 10am
Experience the bright energy of young string players in Concert 1of the SYO Summer School Showcase, featuring four dynamic ensembles under the baton of exceptional conductors.
Strings YELLOW (Sandi Oh) and Strings ORANGE (Anne Sweeney) showcase developing technique and musical expression, while Orchestral Explorers (Alina Belshaw) introduces budding musicians to the joy of ensemble playing. The SYO Summer Symphony Orchestra (Joanna Drimatis) rounds out the morning with a powerful display of advanced repertoire, demonstrating the remarkable growth achieved across just one intensive week of training.
Concert 2 - 1pm
The afternoon concert celebrates the full breadth of SYO’s Summer School program, bringing together both band and string ensembles.
Band BLUE (Sophie Unsen) and Band RED (Andrew McWade) deliver vibrant wind and brass performances, while Strings PINK (Niamh Armstrong) continues the string tradition from the morning session. The concert culminates with the intimate artistry of Chamber Strings (Martyn Hentschel), highlighting advanced chamber music skills and musical collaboration. Together, these four ensembles showcase the diverse pathways available to young musicians at SYO through our Holiday Programs.
