Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra

Join Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra and experience the thrill of performance in a full-sized symphony orchestra.

This orchestra has honoured one of Australia’s greatest composers, Percy Grainger, since it was founded in 1974 with the personal blessing of his widow, Ella Ström. The orchestra continues to be one of the country’s most exciting young orchestras. In Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra, you’ll join young musicians from across Victoria who come together each week, united by a love of music and its performance.

Join Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra to:

– Be immersed in a large symphony orchestra;
– Extend your knowledge of orchestral instruments and sections;
– Meet friends to explore great music with amazing teachers;
– Share your achievements in regular concerts.

PERCY GRAINGER YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Approximate standard: AMEB Grade 7+ or equivalent
Approximate age range: 14 – 20
Rehearsals: Saturday 9:00am – 12:30pm
Instruments: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, timpani, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp*, piano*

*Harp and Piano positions are subject to repertoire selections

ENSEMBLE PROGRAM WAITLIST OPEN SOON

Mark Shiell
Conductor
Conducting has taken Mark around the world including Japan, Russia and Italy. Over the last two decades Mark’s commitment to regular conducting roles has accounted for the majority of his …
Conducting has taken Mark around the world including Japan, Russia and Italy.
Over the last two decades Mark’s commitment to regular conducting roles has accounted for the majority of his musical life but guest conducting has included performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Canberra Symphony, St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Victorian Opera and Sydney Sinfonia.
Mark’s love of community and youth music has kept him very busy. These include years as Principal Conductor of the Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra, Ballarat Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne New Orchestra, Canberra Concerto Orchestra, Zelman Symphony Orchestra and the Macquarie Philharmonia. He has been a guest conductor for the State Music Camps of Victoria and South Australia, the Melbourne Youth Orchestras Summer School and the Kanazawa Children’s Orchestra in Japan. In 2019 he travelled to China at the invitation of the Sichuan Conservatorium in Chengdu where he conducted workshops with youth ensembles throughout that region.
Mark is also focused on creating opportunities for the people of regional areas. Among his initiatives is the Victorian Regional Orchestra which brings together musicians from across Victoria. Mark is also the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Orchestra Geelong which is embarking on an ambitious range of initiatives to offer new opportunities for musicians of all ages in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. Mark is also behind the development of the Geelong Youth Orchestra which is in the planning stages for launch in 2021.