QUEENSLAND YOUTH SYMPHONY

 

As a Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS) member you’ll play demanding and exhilarating orchestral repertoire. Like climbers tackling the tallest mountains you should expect to be challenged, but the view from the summit will be worth it! You will remember the thrill of playing some of the most epic works ever composed for the rest of your life, and you will form lifelong friendships forged by your QYS experiences. QYS received standing ovations during the 2023 European tour, even at Vienna’s fabled Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor Simon Hewett’s international career has taken him to some of the world’s most renowned opera houses and concert halls, and he is already thinking about QYS’ next tour in 2026.

 

    • Conductor: Simon Hewett  

    • 100+ member symphony orchestra 

    • Professional orchestral repertoire 

    • Concerto opportunities 

    • Concert Series at QPAC, Queensland Conservatorium Theatre, Old Museum Concert Hall 

    • Regular International tours 

    • Rehearsals/tutorials: Saturday 8.30am -1.00pm (some Sunday mornings if required) 

    • AMEB Grade 8 minimum or equivalent  

    • Flute, clarinet: AMEB AMusA minimum or equivalent  

    • Maximum age 25 years (at 31 December 2026) 

    • Primary school students (in 2026) are not eligible for QYS 

    • Violin 1 (18), Violin 2 (18), Viola (16), Cello (14), Double Bass (12), Flute (2), Piccolo (1), Oboe (2), Cor Anglais (1), Clarinet Bb and A (2), Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (2), Contrabassoon (1), French Horn (5), Trumpet (3), Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1), Tuba (1), Timpani (1), Percussion (3), Harp (1) 

    • String players are offered a position ‘within the section’ and seating orders will be arranged and rotated by the conductor.   

Simon Hewett

QYS CONDUCTOR

  • Tod und Verklärung by Richard Strauss. My performance of this piece in May 2001 with the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra was the final assessment of my conducting studies in Weimar, Germany. I conducted it from memory and had it recorded (on VHS!!). 6 months later Simone Young was looking for an assistant, and someone put my name forward. She contacted me and when we met I gave her a copy of the Tod und Verklärung performance. Simone told me years later that recording was one of the reasons she offered me a position as her assistant on the Young Artist Program at Opera Australia in 2002 and 2003. During that time Simone was appointed Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera, and after I finished the Young Artists Program she invited me to join the music staff of the Hamburg Opera, as Kapellmeister and Assistant Music Director. 

  • Enthusiasm, curiosity, and a love of music.

  • Folding washing…

  • Double espresso… I am not really a morning person!

  • The 20+ extra horns joining in at the end of Mahler 1 last year was an incredible sight and they sounded amazing!