Every Saturday in Adelaide, musical magic happens.
Nearly 300 young South Australians, aged from 8 to 24, come together to rehearse, learn and perform as part of the Adelaide Youth Orchestras (AdYO) — the state’s leading ensemble program for emerging musicians.
For many of these young people, the opportunity only exists because someone chose to give.
Founded in 2001, AdYO provides world-class orchestral training and ensemble experiences, supporting young musicians across multiple orchestras and programs each year. While AdYO is best known for its performances in major venues such as Adelaide Town Hall, the organisation’s true impact is often felt behind the scenes — in rehearsal rooms, regional schools, and individual moments of confidence and connection.
As a not-for-profit organisation, philanthropy is essential to making this work possible, with membership fees covering only a fraction of the real cost of participation.
“Tuition fees for AdYO really only cover about a third of the actual cost of participation,” says Nic Jeffries, AdYO’s Executive Director.
“Support takes many forms and every gift matters. Without the generous support of South Australians, our programs just wouldn’t be possible.
“A smaller one-off donation can help cover a tuition session for a week, right up to much larger donations that support a young musician’s instrument use and tuition for an entire year.”
Giving helps ensure that cost is never a barrier for young people with talent and drive and supports young musicians who might have otherwise missed out, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or regional areas.
AdYO’s chair supporter initiative, Take Your Seat, allows donors to support a specific chair within one of the orchestra’s ensembles.
