SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra
| Company type | Youth orchestra |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Matthew Krel |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Matthew Krel (founding conductor and artistic director), Simon Thew (assistant conductor, chief conductor 2013), Joanna Drimatis (musical director 2010) |
| Products | Live performances, television episodes, compact discs |
The SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra (commonly known as the SBS Youth Orchestra) based in Sydney was a prominent youth orchestra in Australia, established in 1988 by the Russian-born maestro Matthew Krel, who died in 2009. The ensemble ceased operations in 2013.
From its inception, the orchestra provided young musicians with considerable media visibility, producing 30 television episodes and five compact discs, with regular airplay on ABC Classic FM. It upheld a rigorous performance calendar, appearing annually at renowned locations such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Town Hall.
Beginning in 1993, international tours broadened its cultural influence and audience reach, with visits to nations including New Zealand, Tonga, Taiwan, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, China, Spain, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The orchestra's membership ranged from ages 12 to 25 and reflected a wide array of cultural heritages. It worked alongside various international artists like Giuseppe Giglio (Italy), Roman Rudnytsky (USA), Jansyk Kakhidze (Georgia), Christina Ortiz (England), Dimka Ashkenazy (England), and Liam O'Flynn (Ireland). Australian collaborators featured Horst Hoffmann, Myer Fredman, Kathryn Selby, Donald Hazelwood, Marilyn Meier, Dene Olding, Don Burrows, James Morrison, Geoffrey Collins, Nicole Youl, Elizabeth Whitehouse, Rosario La Spina, Judy Bailey, Chris Shepard, Stephen Mould, and Simon Tedeschi.
In November 2013, the orchestra’s Board declared its closure and created an endowed role within the Fellowship Program of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to commemorate Matthew Krel’s contribution. The final concert was held on 1 December 2013 at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith, New South Wales, with Simon Thew conducting.
Key facts
- Founded in 1988
- Founding Conductor and Artistic Director: Matthew Krel (1945–2009)
- Assistant Conductor/Orchestral Manager: Simon Thew (until 2008)
- Orchestral Manager: Fatima De Assis (from 2008)
- Honorary Secretary: Ian Hamilton
- Musical Director: Joanna Drimatis (2010)
- Conductors in 2009: Simon Thew, Robert Johnson, Ronald Prussing
- Conductors in 2010: Simon Thew, Geoff Gartner, Joanna Drimatis
- Guest Conductors in 2011: Simon Thew, Geoff Gartner, Carolyn Watson
- Guest Conductors in 2012: Thomas Tsai, Geoff Gartner, Simon Thew
- Chief Conductor in 2013: Thomas Tsai; guest conductor Simon Thew
- Disbanded in 2013; last performance on 1 December at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith
See also
External links
- SBS Youth Orchestra website (archived)