MUSIC NEWS: The Big Busk Raise $35k + announce 'Imagine' Concerts

Melbourne Youth Orchestras announce the Ensemble Program Showcase Concert at Melbourne Recital Centre, an encore performance following the successful Big Busk event!

Raising funds for the future of Victorian Musicians, The Big Busk took over Queen Victoria Market earlier this September, raising over $35000 for the full day of performances from over 14 ensembles. Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting their young musicians, giving them opportunities to perform in world-class venues, acquiring new instruments, and supporting MYO’s critical infrastructure, with the opportunity to witness their ensembles this November for the MYO 2025 Ensemble Program Showcase Concerts at the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre. 

For the first time in its history, the 2025 edition of The Big Busk expanded beyond its traditional Sydney roots to become a simultaneous, two-city fundraising celebration. This year, the Melbourne Youth Orchestras joined forces with the Sydney Youth Orchestras, uniting young musicians from across Australia, seeing over 120 buskers perform, over 60 classical music pieces, over the four sites, totalling 32 hours of ongoing music in Naarm/Melbourne.

‘I busked on the day, and it was tons of fun! It really helped my confidence in performing, and it was really enjoyable!’ - MYO Student

‘The MYO Big Busk at QVM was an incredible day! The juxtaposition of classical music in a thriving market felt incredibly unique and created such a fun and exciting atmosphere for our students, their friends and family, and the surrounding market goers! Being able to provide students with these sorts of experiences is what makes MYO so special!’ - Sarah Clark, MYO Operations Manager

For over five decades, Melbourne Youth Orchestras (MYO) has been Victoria’s leading provider of ensemble music education for young people aged 8 to 25, bringing together over 700 musicians to rehearse and explore music in their jazz groups, symphony orchestras, wind ensembles and string groups every week.

MYO's dedicated team of conductors and educators have fostered the early careers of thousands of alumni and students. 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.

To close out the year, Melbourne Recital Centre will host their end of year Ensemble Program Showcase Concerts over two Sundays in November. The ‘Imagine’ concert series will feature 14 of their ensembles over 6 concerts, in a huge end of year celebration.

Melbourne Youth Orchestra - Imagine 
Sunday 9 November
Concert 1 11:00 am
Melbourne Youth Junior Strings, Alexandra Cameron Strings & Melbourne Camerata Strings

Concert 2 3:30 pm
Melbourne Youth Strings, Melbourne Youth Chamber Strings & Melbourne Youth Sinfonia

Concert 3 7:30 pm
Melbourne Youth Big Band & Melbourne Youth Jazz Orchestra

Sunday 16 November
Concert 4 10:30 am
Melbourne Youth Wind Symphony & Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra

Concert 5 3:00 pm
Adaptive Music Bridging Program, John Antill Youth Program & Melbourne Youth Concert Band

Concert 6 7:30 pm
Melbourne Youth Orchestra
Tickets

Support MYO